Read it, recieve it, sing it, Live it!

"Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I do not sit with decietful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, proclaminh aloud your praise and telling of your wonderful deeds." Psalm 26:2-7

A couple of years ago a friend of mine had to speak to a group of young men regarding part of this scripture. She came to me perplexed about what she should share...especially with regards to the "abhoring what is evil" part. So i studied the scripture and we had a great time in the word at work that day!! This morning this scripture popped up in during mine & Phillips quiet time in the One year bible. So, i thought I'd share. :)

My bible has great commentary...so i'll be referring to that as well. When David asked God to declare him "blameless", he wasnt claiming to be sinless--thats impossible for any human to achieve.  Instead, he was pleading with God to clear his name of the false charges made against him by his enemies. What I really see clearly in this is that we can ask God to examine our hearts, trusting Him to forigve our sins and clear the record according to his great mercy!!

Alright as far as unbelievers go... the word says we are in the world but not "of it". We are set apart. But does that mean that we should stay away from unbelievers? I hope you immediately say "no!". As Christians, there are places and situations we DO need to avoid. But, Jesus clearly demonstrated we are to go among the unblelievers to help them. To give them hope and show them love. There is a big difference between being with unbelievers and being one of them. Acting like unbelievers harms our witness for God.  

I want people to see what Jesus has done in my life. And I want them to want HIM. If I am acting like the world....cussing or drinking or partying, gossiping, cheating, stealing, lying...what does that say about my walk with Jesus? If you go to a club are you headed to hell?  If you have a drink out on a date... is that where you have crossed the line? If you cuss... if Jesus done with you? Absolutely not! When I was in high school... at one point I went to a Christian school... a major learning, growing, turning point in my life was being required to memorize this scripture from Phillipians 4:7 "Whatever things are true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." So i memorized it, then, somehow... in my 16 yr old mind...the Holy Spirit brought revelation...that to this day has stuck with me. My husband and I strongly enforce this in our home with regards to media. So...i think "what brings glory to God...what would HE find pleasing?"  If I am using filthy language... does that bring glory to his precious name? If I am out to dinner and have a glass of wine... and a young girl from our youth group just happens to come in and see me... what sort of witness was I to her? Music... that was/is a biggie for me. I remember going home and ripping...(haha that was in the ancient days of tapes) ripping the tapes apart...Janet Jackson, Salt n Peppa, Vanilla Ice,...whatever... it was trash to me. It did not glorify God. Was it sending me to the pit of hell...nah, probably not. Does the type of music we listen to determine our salvation...no...does it completely set the tone for our day...or our mood..for some of us, YES! For me... music ministers to me deeply. Thats how I have always been. So if I was listening to Trisha Yearwoods "How do I live without you".... I really felt that.... I remember having a fight with Phillip..I had rededicated my life to Christ and was only been listening to christian music at that time. We were in the car together and that specific song came on..and within seconds...I found myself in the PIT of despair. "how could I possibly live without him?" But when we fill our minds with word...even thru music...its amazing how those desperate situations just turn right around!!

What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  Do you have problems with negative thinking, ungodly thoughts? Examine what you are putting in that mind of yours through tv, internet, books, music, CONVERSATIONS. REPLACE that junk  with godly stuff. Most of all Gods word. Read & Pray.... and worship ;) . ASK GOD to help you focus on what is good and pure.

Dont snub the sinner... love them. You were once them. The difference between you and them is Gods grace. He saved you. Dont wallow with them in their pit either though. Show them the HOPE of Jesus LIVING  thru you...in action and in deed. "Every saint has a past and EVERY sinner HAS A FUTURE"!!

Ppl...mostly women seem to be encouraged by my facebook status alot of times. I get lots of messages regarding them. Most of the time my statuses  are lyrics to a song I am listening to that day. I keep it on almost all day. It helps me, lifts me up. encourages me. it creates an atmosphere of worship in my home...at all times. I love that. It can make me dance & shout while Im cookin... or bring me to my knees to a place of praise or humbleness.  About 2 weeks ago, I heard Kylee screaming in the dining room.. I walked in to find she had turned up the worship music that was on... she was sitting in a chair with her arms raised..as she shouted "Jesus...Jesus!!"" wow... took my breath away for a moment. Jesus IN--Jesus out. Garbage IN--garbage out!! Think about what you are feeding your mind..but dont forget to monitor what your young children are puttin in theirs.

Glory glory Hallelujah , He reigns...and all the POWER of darkness..CANT DRIVE OUT A SINGLE WORD!! ~~~ Rita Springer... what I am worshipping to right now. satan has NO power over the TRUTH THAT IS word of God. Read it, recieve it, SING IT.... LIVE IT!
Love, j.