I had intended to do a post showing off the new cowl and scarf I made, but here I sit with a pile of projects and the ship in time for Christmas date for my orders looming over me. I discovered something this morning that gave me pause and added to my frustration. I find that when I start to make headway working on my shop and doing my own thing I get pulled back into the crap. I’m not out seeking trouble, but it seems those with more time on their hands are. I vent a bit and then I turn to prayers and God’s word. I’m always amazed that my daily meditation with Christ has gone from being something I do on my own in the morning and in the evening with the boys to something I do dozens of times throughout the day. It’s calming to be able to pray and find answers for something as simple as “help me accomplish my work today and may it be pleasing to you” or just “let my baby nap”.\u00a0But being so engulfed in my\u00a0walk of faith I have never been more sure of the truths in my life.<\/p>\n
I’ve been in court hearings and witnessed people boldly lying to attain their way and heard someone swear to a falsity when they and I were the only people in the situation and they were not\u00a0speaking the truth. I used to get angry when people would lie to and about me and there are days when I still struggle with that, but I’ve some to hear my Father’s words over those who would blaspheme against my character. I used to try to get people to see the truth. But I’ve come to realize that those people are not capable of seeing the truth and we must learn to give up on trying to make them understand and instead pray\u00a0that their hearts might be changed.<\/p>\n
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. if you do they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” Matt 7:6 NIV<\/p>\n
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful” Prov 12:22 NIV<\/p>\n
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”\u00a0 Exodus 20:16 NET (this is a commandment)<\/p>\n
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matt 5:11 NIV<\/p>\n
This last is my favorite for a multitude of reasons, but when I am the most discouraged in front of God; He speaks to me and these are the words he whispers to my heart when He says “Samantha, my child, I know the truth do not let them shake you. The wicked taketh the truth to be hard. ” I know that my beliefs aren’t always popular and, personally, honoring God’s will is hardly in suit with what I want for my life some days.\u00a0However, I find that as long as I walk the narrow path he has set before me then the blessings abound. It’s a humbling feeling to know that when you ask with pure intentions in your heart he answers tenfold. He provides for our needs on a daily basis and I am never surprised.<\/p>\n
One of those blessings has been finding a home church that speaks to my heart and fills my children with His spirit. Our pastor is amazing and unlike other big churches it isn’t full of hypocrites and the true message hasn’t been lost\u00a0for money and worldly pursuits. The past couple months they’ve been doing the sermon on the mount. I think this has become some of my favorite verses because it’s Jesus’ words for us. It’s not just a block of stone with orders from above, but our Father’s true desire for the way we live our lives.\u00a0He\u00a0covers adultery, divorce, parenting, handling your money, etc. everything you need to make the right choices.\u00a0It has been such a gift to be spoken to and to see how these verses are applicable to my life. And it all ends asking us to make a choice.<\/p>\n
A Tree and Its Fruit<\/em><\/strong><\/span> Matt 7:13-27<\/p>\n I am so grateful that God pushes us to the crossroads in our lives. He asks us to make the choice to follow His desire for our lives or to seek our own. He gives us the free will to pick the path we will trod, but He hopes we will choose the right path and turn our backs\u00a0to the falsities and sins of the world. It’s not an easy path, but the rewards are overwhelming.<\/p>\n “We must understand that our feelings are not authoritative. Just because we feel something doesn’t make it true. Our feelings are either ruled by truth or ruled by sin. Therefore, we need to discover what is ruling our feelings to determine if they are accurate or inaccurate–righteous or sinful.<\/p>\n Ladies – DON’T follow your hearts! Follow God!”\u00a0 -from\u00a0“Feminine Appeal” by Carolyn Mahaney<\/p>\n With that refocusing of my heart it’s back to work for me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I had intended to do a post showing off the new cowl and scarf I made, but here I sit with a pile of projects and the ship in time for Christmas date for my orders looming over me. I … Continue reading
\n15<\/strong>\u201cBeware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep\u2019s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16<\/strong>\u201cYou will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes<\/em> nor figs from thistles, are they?17<\/strong>\u201cSo every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.18<\/strong>\u201cA good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.19<\/strong>\u201cEvery tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20<\/strong>\u201cSo then, you will know them by their fruits.
\n21<\/strong>\u201cNot everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.<\/em>22<\/strong>\u201cMany will say to Me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?\u201923<\/strong>\u201cAnd then I will declare to them, \u2018I never knew you; DEPART FROM<\/span> ME<\/span>, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS<\/span>.\u2019
\nThe Two Foundations<\/em><\/strong><\/span>
\n24<\/strong>\u201cTherefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.25<\/strong>\u201cAnd the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet<\/em> it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.26<\/strong>\u201cEveryone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27<\/strong>\u201cThe rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell\u2014and great was its fall.\u201d<\/p>\n