Can the Church be Enemies of God?

Spiritual Lessons

Can “the Church” be enemies of God?

I reflect on the many “Christians” I have talked with on the subject of love, murder and the gospel.

Many of them claimed that love is being friendly. Love ignores sin. Love accepts and never judges. That murder is only murder when the victim is a certain age or is wanted or not the product of rape. And that the gospel is: Jesus forgives and loves you. Period.

The Christians at Planned Parenthood scream “Jesus loves ME” before going in to murder their baby. And who convinced them of that? The Christian at church.

It was a Christian who stomped a baby model into the street, a Christian who howled at my “Image of God” sign. It was a Christian driving out of the church parking lot that flipped me off while trying to hand him a gospel tract. The Christian lesbian tried to explain to me how “love does not judge” and it was her Christian pastor that told her so.

Instead of engaging the darkness, being the salt, judging righteously, being a light, compassionately pulling people out of the fire, loving our neighbors, the “Christian” has tried to become the world's friend.

“...Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will b a friend of the world is the enemy of God...” James 4:4

Just as Jesus fought against Israel and called them an enemy for rebelling and vexing Him, He does so to the conventional Church. Isaiah 63. He rejects and hates our worship and songs when we have tolerated, condoned, prolonged and justified our modern Moloch. Our nation literally murders children on the alter of self and convenience. And we Christians stand by and watch. Amos 5.

It's not just the mega churches. Joel Olistein's church. Or the liberal churches. The majority of conservative, even small churches have failed to be truly Christian. Once upon a time to be Christian meant to be bold as lions. A voluntary martyr. You were a world shaker. A non-conformist. Christ-like. A relationship with Christ was merely a result, not the purpose of your Christianity. Total obedience and trials and working faith were matters of rejoicing.

Now to be "Christian" means you're emotional. You are passive. You only love worship. You listen, learn, submit...but doing, teaching, edifying are forgotten. You're sleepy. You are a friend of the world. And you condone sin.

Yes Christians, the Church can be enemies of God. And we will be judged. Christians must be awakened, or warned. Christians are either asleep or lost.

Wake up church. This isn't a joy ride. We're in the middle of a battle.

We Are Lions

Spiritual Lessons 

We Are Lions

I was talking to my little brother last night and he asked me why the Pharaoh of Egypt had decided to kill all the male children of Israel. I explained that Pharaoh was afraid of how large Israel had become, and he knew that it was possible for the men to rise up and seize Egypt.

While explaining this I realized what amazing qualities God has instilled in men. He has given them the desire to conquer for righteousness' sake, to be protectors, to be noble and courageous. Pharaoh feared godly men. And then, my ten year old brother found it amusing that Pharaoh was so afraid of men, when God used women to conquer him. The midwifes, Moses' mother, and Miriam, his sister.

We women have the opportunity to be used greatly. To not only dwell in the Light but walk in it. To shine. Women through the centuries have been used to save nations, to spread the Gospel, and to usher in the King of kings. Our feminine heart was created to be great. To co-labor with noble men. To save nations. To spread the Gospel. To show the world Jesus. 

We are capable of being Esther's and Mary's. We may have Hamman's in our life. Or reputations that may be at risk. Or even our lives. Maybe it's our time, our energy, our finances that are to be sacrificed? Maybe it's our fears, or our low expectations that need to be conquered. God has a purpose for us far far beyond a good life and a good relationship with Him. 

We were created to be helpmates. To be lionesses. To be culture shapers. To be warrior raisers. To be light and salt. We can and we must live up to this. He will be our strength. What nations wait to be saved? What destinies teeter on the balance? What lives wait hanging on our “yes” to Jesus?

Quote of the Day

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it careful 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... The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers...of love is Hell."

- C.S. Lewis

There's a Difference

Spiritual Lessons

There's a Difference 

There is such a thing as being gracious and yet grieving. Being humble but acknowledging wrongs. Having mercy yet recognizing lost friendships. To let go of people who once were pillars of security, in a healthy way. To move on without reconciliation.

There's such a thing as standing firm to your conviction without pride. To warn others of “Alexanders” (2 Tim. 4:14-18) without back-biting. To disagree with authorities without being a “victim”.

AND, there's such a thing as condoning bad behavior and calling it grace. Ignoring wrongs and calling it mercy. Enabling and calling it submission. Internalizing grief and calling it forgiveness. Being bitter and saying “we just need time”. Rebelling and calling it justice.

There's a difference. James 1

Warrior Brides

Spiritual Lessons

Warrior Brides

“Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!”

A cold voice answered: “Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shriveled mind shall be left naked to the Lidless Eye.”

A sword rang as it was drawn. “Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.”

… “Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!”

… It seemed that Dernhelm [Eowyn] laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund's daughter...Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him."


Ladies, we are women warriors. It is imperative that we engage in the spiritual warfare around us. Men are not meant to be alone in this battle. It's true, we are the weaker vessel, and God did create men to be our leaders, providers, protectors – but all the children of God are called to fight the principalities and rulers of darkness. (Eph. 6:12)

God has bestowed us with loyal fierceness for a reason. We are co-warriors.

All of us can attest to Satan's enjoyment of attacking us Christians. I'm here to warn you that Satan will attack us women, not only to insure our inaction but as a means to stab our fellow warriors in the back. Especially our men.

Here is one thing that has been prevalent in my life and in my friends life. I hope with all my heart this is heartening and even helpful in staving off destruction.

Attacks in our relationships.

Sometimes it's emotion driven. We are plagued by depression, anxiety, low self-worth, fear, etc. Over and over these emotions are used against us in our family relationships. Well-intentioned family may wonder (aloud) at the wisdom of our husbands. They share their concern and or counsel. They sew seeds of doubt, mist-trust or disrespect into our hearts. (By the way – we aren't to reverence ANY men in our lives other than our husbands). Though well-meaning, they've overstepped their bounds. Who is responsible for letting them know that? We are. We tell them, kindly but firmly, that they can take their concerns to your man. No-one should be allowed to step between you and your husband. You're his right hand, and together you're a team. It's sinful to sit behind his back and question him with your concerned family. (Honestly, if anyone approaches us about someone else we should send them to the person they have a problem with). And if we are the woman who goes to other people about their husbands we must quickly repent and acknowledge our sin. We are not only doing this couple a disfavor, we are attacking their marriage and are sinning and will be held responsible. It doesn't matter if they are our best friend, our sister or our daughter.

We engage spiritual wickedness and our relationships will be attacked. We must recognize isolation, guilt, harbored hard feelings, etc. as an attack. We will be rendered useless in the battle and we may take our fellow soldiers out as well.

This being said; grief is appropriate. Acknowledging wounds is right. It's okay to recognize that all the faces you sought friendship from are gone. It's healthy to let go of people who once were pillars of security. We are allowed to flee spears. If reconciliation is impossible we're righteous in “moving on” without them. Our part is to call upon God as our savior, cast our burden on Him and look to Him for wisdom and sustenance. If you have Ahithophel's in your life: follow David's example. (Ps.55).

But it's not okay to allow someone's injustice towards us to fester into back-biting, hard feelings, snide remarks, gossip and sleepless nights.

We are Christ's bride. He is a Victor. And He has declared war on the world. We aren't the damsel's in distress here. We're married to a warrior King. He has chosen to use and need us. Of course our men will fight for us and often stand between our enemies and us. This is noble and we should be thankful. If our men, (our husbands, boyfriends, fathers, brothers, brothers in Christ) have taken up spiritual arms, we should rejoice and thank God. So few are willing to be the men God created them to be. They are under severe attack from the world, the enemy, their spiritual leaders, and Christians friends. They stand on a lonely righteous battle field. We are either standing next to them or against them. There isn't a neutral ground. If we are not encouraging, strengthening, or supporting them we are most certainly discouraging and tearing them down. We've joined enemy ranks when we are uncertain of them. When we offer criticism. When we cheer them on in “their thing”. Or when we distract them from their purpose. Or pout. When we think of spiritual warfare as being a “man thing”.

Christianity is not a passive religion.

Christianity is not a man's religion.

All of us fight. All of us take dominion. All of us rule. All of us reign. All us are light. All of us minister to the afflicted. (Gen 1:26, Matt. 25:21, Rev. 22:5, 2 Cor. 4:5-6, James 1:27).

We are not helpless as women. We are not victims. We are meant to be courageous Jaels. What lies have we allowed in our lives to keep back our hammer and spike? Really – as yourself. What accusations of our men have we allowed to taint us against the battle? What disappointments, hurts, and injustices leave us useless and lifeless?

It is possible that these things are attacks. And it is most certain that they have been allowed in your life to move you into a active Christianity. True Christianity. A religion where we not only have a relationship with Christ as His bride, but where we practice our religion and work our our salvation as warriors.

Ladies, we have have an amazing and fulfilling calling as Warrior brides. Christ desires to train us how to be compassionate, willing to dies, merciful and bleeding; while also to put on his armor, cry the battle cries, pull our swords ad defy the enemies of darkness.

What does that mean practically? It means we will set aside nagging doubts and join our husband in his vision. It means we be willing to be made willing to love again. It means working at our friendships even when it's uncomfortable. It means bringing our concerns before our God and refusing self-pity reign. It means doing something instead of just talking about it. It means sacrificing time, ease and reputation. It means actively looking for opportunities. Habitually sharing the gospel. Speaking for the voiceless. Ministering to our children or siblings. Praying. Committing our homes and lives to God alone. Prioritizing our life so we might be available to be used. Spending our money wisely. Questioning traditions. Allowing ourselves to be put in uncomfortable stretching experiences. In other words ACTING like Christians.

We live in a culture of death and sin. The enemy moves unchained. He seeks who He may devor. And how has God chosen to hinder him? The Beloved. That's me. That's you. He is that great in us. We were chosen to be women on purpose. He wants to use your femininity, beauty, strength, fierceness, to encourage those around you and to love your neighbor and to stand by your men.

If you are allowing people in your life to keep you from the battle, if you concede to their low expectations, if your generously refuse to be a warrior bride on someone else's behalf: You are sinning. And you are enabling that person to sin. If you know what is right and refuse to do it, you will be held doubly accountable.

We are in a life-and-death battle. The spiritual life IS our life. It's not a piece of life. It's not optional. We are in a battle with an enemy who works 24/7 to destroy life. The Lord is our warrior and overcomer. He asks, even commands, that we join Him.

Will we be a Warrior Bride?



Other Related Posts:

Femininity 

Our Men Need Us

At War with Pink Lace 

Dear Single Ladies – From a Newlywed

Dearest Sisters,

I wrote to some of you a little while ago – three and a half weeks after my wedding day! Now, a month and a half into married life, my feelings are the same – or perhaps even more intensified! Yes, I'm very in love! But that's not the big thing I wanted to share with you. I actually wanted to say –

BEING SINGLE IS AWESOME!

I love being married – seriously, don't get me wrong! But just as seriously, my hubby and I keep planning things and then thinking, 'You know what? We need more good Christian singles to help us fulfill this plan!'

We actually really need you. I love being a woman and thinking about homemaking and babies and all that stuff, but honestly, God is still so much more exciting than anything to do with marriage. I wish I had used my single time ever more effectively – and this is me talking – a motivated young woman married to a highly flexible, godly, pull-out-all-stops-to-get-it-done kind of guy. Sure, the world and the church needs married believers. But oh boy, we need you singles too! Please, dear single ladies, don't be distracted from our great calling by the idea of getting married. It's awesome! But bombers weren't the only aircraft to fight a war. We need you free-flying Spitfires as well.

So single ladies – please. Help us. Motivate us. Challenge us. Make sure we don't sink into lovey-dovey hermitage with our beloveds, or get distracted from the Greates Love by the love we have. Ask us questions – there really is a king of mind-gift you received in marriage, and we'd love to share our stories for your benefit! Keep us on our toes. Pray for us. Work with us!

And Christ will return. We will all be together. Matrimony will be but a memory, but love will be real and together we will rejoice in unending bliss, praising our Father in Heaven!

Blessings from your sister,

Georgia 

Will We Be Davids?

Spiritual Lessons

Will We Be Davids?

David ran his fingers down the golden strands. Not so long ago he played this very same melody under a starry sky, alone in a wilderness. But now he played for the King.

He looked up at the monarch and felt his heart sink. Saul sat with an evil expression furrowed into his face. Peace could not penetrate this man's soul.

David looked back at the floor and concentrated. God had used King Saul. Saul had made a kingdom out of a nation, raised armies and fought many battles. More importantly, King Saul was the Lord's anointed. No matter if Saul no longer trusted him. He would honor the King.

Saul was hounded by an evil spirit. It caused him to be afraid. The longer he watched David play, the more the anxiety built. The Lord was with David. And Saul knew it had departed from him. Somehow David's melody seemed to chant the very words the women sang with their tabrets, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

 Instead of releasing tension, the music seemed to attack him. Anger throbbed through his whole being. It was unfair that David was both given the spirit from the Lord and his kingdom. David had already been anointed with oil by Samuel. The prophet that no longer would fellowship with him. Jonathan, his own son, had knit his heart to this young man, even in the knowledge that David would take Jonathan's rightful place. With a surge of just indignation Saul stood to his feet and threw his javelin at the minstrel, David.

At that moment David had a choice.  

God wanted to make a King out of David. But instead of handing him the Kingdom, He crushed David. And He used a man to do it: King Saul. Saul was undoubtedly mad, even haunted by an evil spirit. He threw spears and claimed the right to do so. And yet, he was the Lord's anointed.

David knew this. When Saul threw his spear, David had a choice.

1. To stay, in risk of being killed.
2. To throw the spear back.
3. To flee

We also have “Sauls” in our life. Kings, God has put in our life. Some of these men have hurt us. We are given the same choices David was. We might have the right and ability to throw the spear back. No-one would have blamed David.

Except God. God allowed Saul to mistreat David. And He used it to mold David into a man after His own heart. God will do the same in our lives. He will use the Sauls in our life to crush the Saul in us!

David accepted it. He didn't bad-mouth Saul. David allowed God to change him. Being hunted will change us. Being wounded will scar us.

We can have pure motives and a righteous stand and still be crushed. God sometimes uses pure and righteous men to do it. Sometimes he uses mad men. Either way, we have a choice.

David tried to stay. But more javelins were thrown. Self prosperity is not conceit. Self defense is not pride. David fled. And yet David left alone. He didn't take a band of men with him. He was willing to go by himself. This solitude and hounding, the lies, deceit, and maliciousness crafted David into a man that is now known as the world's greatest comforter. David could sing before, but now his Psalms are echoed by thousands in every generation.

People will misunderstand you. Joab did. Why wouldn't David kill the King when he had the chance? The Kingdom believed Saul and had no way of hearing “David's side”. The kingdom misunderstood David during a time where it should have seem him not only an innocent man, but their future king.

Friends, dear friends, will be parted from you. Friends are often made because of what you hold in common. But sometimes, in these kind of trials, our friendships will be tested in the areas where we can't be in common. Jonathan's heart was knit to David's. And yet they could no longer fellowship and sing in the palace as they once had. They wept. Grief is natural. But Jonathan also allowed David to leave, and "strengthened his hand in God.” (1 Samuel 23:16).

 If we are Jonathans we must remember to let go of our Davids. Our friendships don't have to change when Kings throw spears. We can still be friends. But allow David to go in peace. If we are Davids we must remember how hard it is for the Jonathans that have staid behind. We too must learn to let go. David never spoke ill of Jonathan's father. David did cry “What have I done? What is mine iniquity...?” But David did not tell Jonathan to come away. David did not berate King Saul to Jonathan. Neither expected to be sympathized with as a victim. Neither depended on the other as their savior. Pray for your friend. Do not defend your character to them. But do not feel guilty for fleeing. Do not feel guilty for being Saul's son. Jonathan fought a whole garrison of Philistines without David. God placed you there on purpose.

David refused to disrespect Saul. God knew Israel didn't need another powerful king, but a broken and humbled man. Good men can do evil things. Who are we to determine if our king is a David or a Saul? To Urriah, David seemed to play Saul. The people in your life today, the ones who hurt you, malign you, and throw spears, might be Davids. They might be men after God's own heart.

Is it our responsibility to go to war against our king? Not likely. Will we have to flee? Possibly. Will we become “David's” – people after God's own heart? Only though much breaking and tribulation.

To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:10

Satan would have us stay in an unforgiving position. It is his device to keep us weak. And why? So he can either attack us or render us useless.

This is not a crafty ploy, though countless Christians have fallen on swords of unforgiveness. Satan doesn't hold us captive. We have sentenced ourselves and freedom is our choice. Obviously there are times it is humanly impossible to forgive, but this is why Paul forgave in the person of Christ.

Forgiveness doesn't look like sympathy. It doesn't mean we must put ourselves continually in a defenseless vulnerable place. David hid in caves. He did not continue to place himself before the king and his javelins. Forgiveness doesn't look like trust.

But forgiveness is unwilling to keep an account of wrong-doing. Forgiveness will pray for those who hurt him. Forgiveness is willing; forgiveness is open minded towards reconciliation; forgiveness understands Satan's devices. A forgiving heart is unwilling to gossip. Forgiveness is strength. Forgiveness is freeing.

Christian, we once determined to follow Christ, though no one else followed. No turning back. Though friends forsake us. We started this journey counting the cost. When it is required of us, will we give up? This is a race. The first half-mile was hard. The second half was exciting. The third seems impossible. It's how races go. Don't give up brothers and sisters. Satan would sift us, but ultimately we are given a choice.

Will we be Davids?  

Our Men Need Us

Spiritual Lessons 

Our Men Need Us!

The word “helpmeet” does not imply weakness. It implies that men have a need and women have a unique ability.

God created women to be a mans' helper; not because we are inferior but because we were designed to perfectly meet man's need. This is exciting, not demeaning! We are not opposites. We can co-exist in godly charity. We were created to! Viewing men as another species is ungodly and founded on a wicked mindset.

Yet, we are different. Which is godly and necessary. To blur these lines is also sinful.

The world hates masculinity and men who dominate, conquer, lead and protect. And yet, this partly why they were created. (Genesis 1:28). When we cringe at the word “dominate” we wince at their very purpose. We encourage the attitude that men should be ashamed of what their Creator mandated. Are we offended at the thought of men being conquerors? If we could follow that thought down to the root, we would find this ideology comes from an evil source. (feminism post).

The world teaches men to shirk manhood and encourages us to be repulsed by it. The world propagates the idea we women don't need men and are better off without them. Women are roused into a feminist mob of men-haters. While men are being shamed or lulled into passivity.

We women, whether married of not, mustn't be fooled. Ladies, our men are being ambushed by the enemy in their masculinity. We aren't standing on neutral ground on this one. We are either fighting against the enemy or we are on the enemy's side.

How can we practically encourage our men? I want to hear from you, but here are some of my ideas I hope to faithfully implement.

1. Embracing femininity. By being a modest, feminine, godly woman of God, I know it automatically inspires men to be pure, chivalrous men.
2. Embracing our purpose. We women were made of man for man. To co-rule, be fruitful, multiply, take dominion. We were meant to be united. It is not weak to think highly of men and desire to serve by their side. For goodness sake! We were created from their side, why not serve next to their side? Men need us and we need men. We were designed that way. Married women have an obvious ministry to their man. But we all are given fathers and brothers in Christ that we can serve and minister and encourage.

What does this look like practically? It might mean praying or fasting for them. Writing an encouraging note. Supporting their decisions. Allowing them to treat us like ladies. Treating them selflessly. Studying and contributing to our brother's interests. Offering to help in their projects. Packing their lunch. Speaking highly of them. Being hospitable. Staying up to date with current events. (We can be interesting, intellectual and well-rounded in conversational topics! There is only one thing more irritating than a bunch of girls who only know how to whisper, giggle, and talk of “girl topics”, ie: themselves: Grown women who only know how to gossip, cackle, and talk of birth experiences. Okay... I'm off my soap box...you get the point.) Accompanying them in evangelism. Cheering them on. Letting them know you respect or support them. Taking a rebuke in the right attitude. Seeking their counsel. For married couples that are friends, we can babysit children, or clean their homes. The list is almost endless.

Godly men do not expect women to rubber stamp their every decision just because they are men. Real men do not demand support. Submission is not coerced. We are responsible in our role as women to honor our men, submit to our husband, and to act charitably and femininely. But we are not meant to be manipulated or forced into subjection; verbally or physically. We are meant to be Pricillia's, Jaels' and Abigails', NOT Bethsehbas.

This being said, there is a lack of courageous feminine women of God who are willing to take off Satan's blinders and fight. Fight next to their men. Encourage their men. Support their men. And graciously submit and serve and co-labor. We can be these kind of women. We can stand by our men and love them in all charity. They need us.

Modest Swimwear Ideas!

Health and Beauty

Modest Swimwear Ideas

So I was looking for some modest, feminine swimwear for this year.  These are my finds thus far!  Thought I'd share!

Peaceful Single Girl 

  



Dainty Jewels 

Fresh Modesty

Quote of the Day

"The test for the saint is not common sense, but 'is this what Jesus stood for?' 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel.' If you dare to stand for Jesus Christ and His presentation of things in certain crises, men will separate you from their company, treat you with unutterable contempt. 'Blessed are ye', said Jesus, 'when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake'. (Luke 6:22) we have to express the love of God in the midst of these things." 

Oswald Chambers