Do you ever feel like this in your spiritual walk.........

I'm sure that Paul felt like that sometimes too, but the thing that I think kept him going was the fact that he continously told people about "his story". When he gave his testimony, he was reminded of all the amazing things God had accomplished in his life - things that may have been taken for granted, if he stopped reminding himself by telling others.

How often do you give your testimony? How often do you share "your story" to someone who is hurting? How often do you take your salvation for granted? How often do you bring glory to God by sharing His glory with others?

Ouch! Those questions make me lower my head, too! It can never be enough, we can never give our testimony too many times.

Let's look at the last chapter of Acts today and see what our friend, Paul is up to. In chapter 27, Paul was on his way to Rome. The ship he was on, hit a reef and began breaking into pieces near an island. Just like the angel had assured Paul, each person safely made it to land. They were shown great kindness by the people of the island and Paul was able to heal the sick while he was there. They boarded another ship and sailed for 3 more months until they reached Rome. He called together the local leaders of the Jews and began to explain to them why he had been held prisoner. They wanted to hear from him and set up a date when they could meet together with him. On that day, he spent all day, telling them his case, his testimony, all about his God. Some were convinced and some were not, but he told them anyway.

Vs. 30&31 "He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."

There he goes again, speaking with boldness and without hindrance. Those words bring such encouragment and excitement to me!! They remind me of my calling from God!

God calls us all to testify about Him. He calls us all to share what He has accomplished in our lives. He calls us all to spread the Good News of salvation.

Are you following God's calling????

Living fearlessly

Christie

Happy Monday my bloggy friends!! I'm looking out my kitchen window at an extremely large spider hanging on it's web. It's been there for a couple of days now. I've seen alot of spiders over the weekend, because I had to cut off most of my flowers. You see, our puppies have so enjoyed laying on and playing in everything green in my yard that everything has been flattened. May I ask again - who wanted those puppies, anyway??!!! Sorry, I got a little off track, there. O.K., back to the spiders - what I see as terribly scary and ugly creatures, God made for good. What I usually don't think about, is that they keep all the other nasty little bugs under control. Again, my perspective is sometimes altered and I have to remember that God knows what is best.

My husband and I normally get up at 5:00am during the week. Our daughter began morning basketball practice a week ago and now gets up at 4:30. Even though he misses that extra 1/2 hour of sleep, my sweet husband volunteered to get up with her and drive her into town to catch her ride to practice. He told me that, at first, he felt it to be somewhat of an inconvenience, but realizes now, that he really enjoys the time that he can spend with our daughter, alone, each morning. See, again, our perspective is so often altered until we see God's purpose.

I believe God has a purpose for everything. He has a reason, we just can't always understand it. He can make good out of all things - are you looking for the good?

In Acts 27, Paul is on his way to Rome. His boating journey is quite crazy as he boards and unboards many times. The seas become dangerous with major storms and the crew decides to look for land to spend the winter on. They were tired and hungry but Paul has some encouragement for them. In vs. 22-25 Paul explains "Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you. So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."

Yes Yes Yes! Paul comes through again, oh how I long to have the faith of this man! Reread that last sentance again - "so take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."

Do you and I have that kind of faith? Do you believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that God's promises are true? Do you trust Him so deeply that you can be confident enough to tell others that He will do exactly as He has said?

The angel told Paul, not to be afraid. Maybe his human side was beginning to fear, maybe he was really afraid - but after the assurance by his Heavenly Father, he is bold, once again.

God's assurance and affirmations can give us all the boldness and confidence we need. Are you listening for them in His Word and in your heart?

Just like my and my husband's altered perception, Paul doesn't really know why he needs to go to Rome, but he does know that God wants him to be there. Even with our limited understanding, we must be confident that our God knows exactly what He is doing. He has a purpose and a plan for each of us.

Are you trusting Him?

Living fearlessly
Christie

Good Friday morning to you all! I checked our rain gauge this morning, and it showed we got 3 1/4 inches yesterday! Wow, that's alot of rain but we sure needed it. I guess that means we'll probably have to start mowing again. :)

I was sitting at the table with my daycare kids yesterday while they ate their snack. My 4 year old becomes very serious and with hands on her hips, exclaims "Christie, my parents just don't listen to me!" Trying not to laugh, I told her that her parents don't have to listen to her but she must listen to and obey them. With a very straight face, she tells me "I like it better when my parents listen to me."

Oh, from the mouths of babes! After thinking about our conversation, I realized that I don't think much differently from this 4 year old. How easy it is for me to say that I always want God's will for my life - until, I want something different. I like it much better when God wants the same thing that I do but at times have dug my heels in when He wanted something different. I have found though, that the only way for God and I to desire the same thing is for me to open my heart and mind to Him so He can change me.

Remember, just as our parents tried to do what was best for us as children, God knows what's best for you because He created you and He also, is the only One who knows the future.

Now, on to Acts 26

King Agrippa gives Paul the floor to state his case. Our faithful friend, again, takes the opportunity to explain himself by giving his testimony. His heart truly longed for everyone to hear the Good News. Even when governer Festus, yells out "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind!", he is not swayed. He calmly responds and proceeds on.

In verse 28, King Agrippa asks Paul "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"

Check out Paul's response "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am - except for these chains." He is so passionate about bringing others to Christ! He inspires me to be more bold!

When they had withdrawn themselves, they said "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment." "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Ceasar."

This could have been a disappointing statment to you and I but remember Paul knows that God also wants him to testify in Rome. He is on his way to right where God wants him to be.

His plans are so good for us - even when we can't see it!!

Have a great day and a great weekend!!

Living Fearlessly
Christie

Blogger has just come out with a new gadget that is pretty cool! It is located on the left hand column under: readers of this blog. If you sign up to follow this blog, it will give you updates when I post. All this technology is way over my head, but I think it's great that someone else understands it so I can use it. :)

There is not a whole lot happening in Acts Chapter 25. Festus hears both sides of Paul's case but doesn't want to make a decision, so Paul requests an appeal before Ceasar. Festus shares the case with Agrippa, the king, and he decides that he would like to hear the case.

Festus tells Agrippa in vs. 25, that he has found nothing that Paul has done to deserve death. In vs. 9, he says this is all because he wants to do the Jews a favor.

This irritates me. Festus, as the governer, should be making decisions by what he knows to be true, not by wanting to please others.

Then it hit me - how many times do I make decisions based on what others might think.

How many times have I told God no, so that I don't rock the boat or hurt someone's feelings?

How many times do I base my decisions on the lies of satan instead of God's truths?

More than I want to admit.

Irritating or not, I guess I'm more like Festus than I thought.

Before making any decision today, ask God to show you His truth and His will for the situation. Allow Him to invade your heart and your mind so that your life will bring glory to Him

Have a great day

Living fearlessly
Christie

I have a little venting to do this morning. Last night was "one of those nights". Right after my last daycare child left yesterday, I was looking through my son's bookbag to find that he had been supposed to be reading 70 minutes per week since school began and he hadn't read at all. I was discussing this with him while I started supper. Our daughter was short and grumpy since she had been up since 4:30am for basketball try-outs. While supper was cooking, I sat down to look over what we were studying in our small group and the phone rang. It was my husband calling to tell me that he'd be home late. My blood pressure was boiling at this point. I noticed that I didn't see the dogs out the kitchen window, so I went outside to find them. As I walked around the house, calling their names, in my flip-flops, I stepped in something very squishy that my wonderful puppies left behind. I shouldn't even say, I stepped in it, it was more like, I shuffled into it, as my toes were covered in it!!!!! YUCK!!!!

I came back into the house to get cleaned up and then, wanting to calm down, I kicked my daughter out of the living room, and sat down to relax for a moment and cool my nerves. Within moments, my son and daughter come in explaining to me that they had been discussing how grumpy I was and they really didn't like the way I was acting. My response was "who do you think makes me that way?" My daughter replies "You really shouldn't allow other people to affect your positive attitude." AAARRRGGGHHHH! I hate it when my words of advice come back to haunt me!

O.K. - all that said and done, today is a new day, I'm ready to be back in my positive attitude. Hopefully today, I will end with a little more patience and alot more happiness.

So, now back to our study of Acts. Yesterday, Paul was sent to Felix the Governer to be tried again. In chapter 24, after 5 days of waiting, the high priest came with some others and made their case against Paul. Then Paul had his turn to speak. After hearing both sides, Felix states that he will make a decision after Lysias, the tribune comes and then put Paul back in prison to wait.

After a few more days, Felix and his wife ask for Paul to be brought to them and heard him speak about Jesus. He continued to sent for him and met with him often and conversed with him.

2 years later, Paul was still in prison, when Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, there he remained.

Learning that Felix wanted to meet with him and hear about Jesus, I wonder if Paul ever got excited that Felix may let him go because of their relationship. I wonder if he would be hopeful and excited only to be disappointed as he continued to sit in prison for the last 2 years. Irregardless of what his feelings may have been, he didn't stop talking to Felix about Jesus. He didn't allow his emotions to overcome his actions. Once again, he was faithful.

Emotions are just feelings, they are not supposed to rule our lives. Unlike my decision, last night, to allow my emotions to rule over me, it is possible to overcome you feelings and do what is right. God teaches us about and desires us to have self-control. How far are you allowing your emotions to go? How much of your life are they running?

Seek God's will over your own and your emotions can be tamed.

Living fearlessly
Christie

Good Tuesday morning, my bloggy friends! We had an exceptional weekend and I hope you did too. I was so nice to be able to spend it with family and friends and Friday I had the day to myself to write. I would ask that you please pray that God will speak as I continue working on the messages I will give at the "Breathe" women's retreat on Sept. 27. I desire His words to be spoken because I know the way that He can change hearts.

Continuing on our journey through Acts - chapter 23 starts with Paul standing before the council and once again, speaking with boldness with causes violent dissension among the Pharisees and Sadducees. So, thinking that Paul is going to be ripped to shreds by these people, they put him back in prison. Vs. 11 "The following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.'"

As I read the Lord's words, I immediately thought of a situation from years ago. I had committed to living my life for the Lord and soaked up every second I could reading His Word and had just such a great desire to learn everything I could. We had an interim pastor at the time and his wife started a women's Bible study. I excitedly attended each week and began understanding more and more. When it was time for the pastor and his wife to leave, she asked me to lead the study. I immediately told her no, but eventually, through prayer, affirmations from God and her continuous push - I accepted. Although, it ended up being a great blessing to me, the next thing God asked me to do, was bigger and more difficult. I remember saying to Him, "I said yes and lead the Bible study - isn't that enough" "Why are you asking me for more, I'm already way out of my comfort zone".

Our own spiritual growth and the growth of others, only comes from obeying - no matter how hard it may be. God tells Paul, good work on this job, now let's move on. It's not just a one time deal when it comes to following God. As you grow in Him, so will His requests of you.

It may seem scary and overwhelming at times, but the cool thing is: He doesn't ask us to be qualified, only open and available. Say yes and let God do the rest.

Living fearlessly
Christie

Happy Friday, my bloggy friends! Have you been in suspense of what Paul will do today? Have you been thinking about what you would do if put in the same situation?

I don't know about you, but when I'm rejected by a person or a group, (let alone have them yelling "do away with her") I usually become very insecure and throw myself into the nearest pity party. In light of this, I doubt that I would have the courage to say anything to the crowd.

I also wondered if I would be so frightened about what terrible things they may do to me, that I would try to state my case. Would I try to convince them that they should set me free? I would like to say that I wouldn't, but would I compromise my beliefs in order to live?

In Acts chapter 22, Paul does neither. He speaks in Hebrew which makes the crowd silence and GIVES HIS TESTIMONY! He tells them what God has done in his life. He tells them how God brought him from killing and imprisoning Christians, to being one. He shares his God-given mission. What faith - what boldness - what courage! You go, Paul!!!

Their response - "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live!"

Even in Paul's boldness, their hearts were still hard. They tied him down and prepared for his flogging when he informed them that he was a Roman citizen and it was unlawful for them to do so. They withdrew immediately and on the next day, they unbound him and set him before the chief priests and the council to find out why he was being accused by the Jews.

This was a great reminder to me that when we are obeying God, it doesn't mean that others are going to "get it". Paul's faith and perserverance is amazing but it still didn't change the hearts of the crowd. He didn't fail, he didn't do anything wrong - it was their choice to reject the message.

We shouldn't take other's reactions so personally - we must have the courage to obey God's calling and be well content with just pleasing Him, irregardless, of the responses around us.

Have a great day and a great Labor Day weekend
Living fearlessly
Christie