Mark This!

  "But mark this: 

There will be terrible times in the last days. 

 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly

2 Tim 3

There are some passages of Scripture, God tells us to MARK. There are some things He wants us to know. 2 Tim 3 is one of those passages we are suppose to mark. It is a warning for those of us living in the last days. We are living in terrible times :(. What does it say people will be like in the last days?

"People will be lovers of themselves"- We are living in a "selfie" era. Worldly psychology calls this narcissism. I actually don't believe in "narcissism". Selfishness isn't a personality disorder, it's a sin disorder. Sin makes you selfish and it makes you stupid. Sin hardens your heart so your heart grows cold. Sin makes you throw relationships away because you only care about yourself. 

"lovers of money"- I think this is only gonna get worse as money gets more scarce. People think money can make you happy but it only makes you discontent. The more you have, the more you have to worry about. 

"boastful"- braggers, name-droppers

"proud"- haughty, finding their identity in accolades... not realizing everything they have came from God's gracious hand. 

"abusive"- someone who speaks evil, slanderous, causing deep harm without remorse, no fear of God

"disobedient to their parents"- not compliant, refusing to submit. This isn't talking about toddlers. This is written to "men/adults". Another passage says "children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death." Toddlers can't do that. There is a very real mindset right now that teens know more than their parents. That has always been a trap but I feel like it is out of control now. There is a "nobody tells me what to do" lie out there that is taking teens down left and right. :( They don't understand that there is FREEDOM found in submission. Rebellion leads to bondage.  Teens are rioting and destroying cities and actually killing their parents. You can read this stuff in the news. It's very real. And very sad. So many hurting parents right now. :(  

"ungrateful"- ungracious, unthankful, entitled :( 

"consider nothing sacred"- wicked, living controlled by bodily appetites with no fear of God, thinking that sin has no consequences, no convictions, giving no spiritual thought to how you live, no reverence for sacred places like THE WOMB, marriage, the family. Anything goes when nothing is sacred. 

"unloving"- without natural affection, hard-hearted toward family, unsociable

"unforgiving"- refusing to reconcile. This is the cancel culture, boundary-loving, therapy-living, bitter crowd who will throw relationships away over any offense. Letting bitterness control and identify them. They give no grace. These people justify estrangement and blame everything on others. Constant fault-finders. People who are actually going BACK into their childhood through hypnotic type avenues to FIND offenses. Always looking back, never forgetting what is behind and pressing forward. These people do not understand what Jesus did on the cross... FOR THEM.

"slanderous"- false accusers, siding with the devil. Anybody can accuse anyone of anything. Anyone can sue someone with a few dollars and a piece of paper. The enemy is known as the "accuser of the brethren". If you are falsely accusing someone and slandering them, you are siding with the devil. Jesus is an ADVOCATE. These people are the opposite of advocates. 

"without self-control"- powerless to live in control, addictions

"cruel/brutal"-  fierce and not tame. Mean-spirited people who cause great harm.

"haters of good"- opposed to goodness & good men, the woke mob, people who want to destroy things that are good, people who want to take down ministries and pastors. This is TARGETED attacks. This would also describe enablers. Enablers help harm things that are good.  Supporting what is evil is the same as hating what is good. 

"treacherous"- BETRAYERS, traitors. People who have been in intimate places of your life who turn against you and cause harm. Modern day Judas.

"reckless'- to fall forward/ headlong, acting before thinking, not counting the cost

"conceited"- means to "raise a smoke/wrap in a mist", to blind with pride, to render stupid

"lovers of pleasure"- constantly stimulating the appetites of the flesh, constant entertainment (phone, music, sports), dopamine chasers 

"having a form of godliness but denying its power"- these people look the part, call themselves Christians, take on the form, chameleon like. Can include people in full-time "ministry".

 "Denying" means to refuse something being offered/ to act entirely unlike himself. 

"Power" here is talking about life-changing power, miracle-working power, the power that comes from armies. This is the power that enables us to be like Jesus. 

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We are living in terrible times. We are living in the last days. It is easy to see these qualities in others but we have to know that IF WE ARE NOT SURRENDERED, if we are not walking in the light, this will be us. If we are not be transformed by the renewing of our minds, we WILL BE CONFORMED to this world. And this is a description of "people". 

Praise God that He enables us to participate in A DIVINE NATURE! This list is our nature. This sinful nature is in all of us and if we are denying the power of God, we are merely a "form"... a counterfeit.  The enemy uses those people to cause devastating pain in lives around them. We have to take an end times test and see where we are failing! Confess it and ask God to give us THE POWER TO CHANGE. This list should not describe us but it is gravity if we aren't pursuing Christ. 

Is this list me? Is it you? I hope not. We are living in the last days and we cannot get sucked into the tide of this generation. The enemy is doing all that he can to control our minds through the customs and behaviors of this world. The devil is using music, movies, social media, non-Biblical counselors (this is a big scary one right now), secular colleges, etc.. to conform us. And most of the time we don't even know it is happening! It is subtle. But it is a tide that takes you so far from safety, it is nearly impossible to swim back. 

The Bible says we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. To be constantly repenting in order to bear fruit. To evaluate ourselves based on our fruit- not intentions- FRUIT. All of that comes from a disciplined, surrendered life to Christ. And as we abide with Him, we will look more like Him and less like this list. 

This list is a list about "people". I don't want to be like "people". I want to be like Jesus. 

Let's take an honest look at our lives and our hearts. If you aren't being transformed by the renewing of your mind, you will be conformed to this list. Get in the Word. Confess your sin. Get away from this destructive stuff and start being fruitful. God wants to use you to change the world. Don't get robbed by your own flesh. Die to self and LIVE for the Lord. We are living in the last days. Today is the day to get right with the Lord. If this list describes you, REPENT. God loves you and He has the power to change you. He will bless you and restore the years that have been lost. He wants to give you healthy relationships. He wants to deliver you from unforgiveness and bitterness. Time is running out. No more putting it off, surrender now and watch God's forgiveness give you peace and purpose.

Much love,

Steph

153

 Hi, my name is Stephanie. :) I am the girl who used to blog during her little boys' nap time. I started this blog when I was pregnant with my now 16 year old! I wanted my mom to be able to see pictures of the kids. What I could have never dreamed was as I journaled through life as a stay-at-home mom that people would be interested. But God used blogging back in those days to bring people together, to share the gospel, and for discipleship. I was allowed to see the life of a mom with a large family. She was happy, in love with her husband, and loving her kids. I had seriously never seen anything like it. I read every word she wrote and it changed my life. We need to "see" things. 

It was the heart of Jesus.

He said to them, “Come and see.” 

I didn't realize my blog was a "come and see" for younger girls who had never seen a Christian marriage. College girls started reading my blog because I talked about how I fell in love with Tim and they were intrigued. God used this blog to open doors for conference call Bible Studies, on-line Bible studies, and retreats where we were able to pour into girls. I made REAL life friends. Friends who are still my friends! Girls gave their lives to Jesus and turned from sin. It was just plain exciting to watch God moving. All while I was a stay-at-home mom praying to be used by God. 

As the years passed, God answered our prayers for more children and miraculously filled our hearts with 8! There was no more nap time. Our life got really really busy and HARD. No time to blog or sleep or eat for a few years. The trials don't stop when you have babies so we were just trying to survive. My dad and my grandparents all died in a short amount of time and the grief was heavy. I had to have surgery on my back and Tim had a double hip replacement. I honestly have no idea how we made it through it all. But we relied on the love God had for us and He showed Himself strong when we were weak. He is still doing that. 

We built our dream house for ministry a few years ago. It was a huge project and a huge blessing... and well just huge. lol. Too huge and too much to take care of. So, we had a blast living there and using it for ministry for a couple years and then decided we were ready to slow down and simplify.

 We sold our dream house and now we live in a dream house God gave us on the lake. I can't tell you what a gift this place has been. It is Psalm 23 living. Still waters really do restore your soul. There is peace here and we love being together on the boat. Tim is a brilliant builder and has built some of the most beautiful homes but I can tell you with 100% confidence: STUFF DOESN'T SATISFY. 

Tim and I both know that. Creating beautiful things is part of being made in the image of God. He is Elohim (Creator) so when we are creating, we are getting to use our God-given talents and abilities. Years ago a carpet cleaner man gave me great advice. I had to call him because one of my little boys had pretty much sharpied my entire house while I thought he was napping.  As I was in tears over my leather furniture, he said. "Don't go falling in love with things that won't love you back." That is true but not as true as:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The more you have, the more you have to worry about. I crave peace and simplicity. The cool thing is that we have been able to share what God has allowed us to build with others. That was my favorite thing about that house. Watching others have fun on the property and hosting huge events. It just got to be too much time and energy to take care of the property. We wanted to have more time to have fun with our kids. 

*************

After over 20 years, I am still madly in love with Tim. It is a different kind of love. He is like my hunky navy seal combat partner after all the spiritual battles we have faced over the years. Our love is deep. I am so thankful to have such a strong leader and co-laborer, co-prayer warrior, co-parent, co-CUTIE, co-dreamer, co-kisser. :)  I want to enrich his life. I want to be a good helper. Our marriage hasn't been easy because life is not easy with so many kids and so much opposition in the spiritual realm. But our marriage is RICH because of prayer, our faith in Jesus, and the miracles we have witnessed. 

"Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?"

Proverbs 20:6

By God's grace, I did find a faithful man. Thank you, Jesus.

Single girls, pray for God to lead you to a "faithful man". 

It is hard for me to look at this blog. Two of my boys are college-age now. The days of matching clothes and naps are over now. So much has changed. I am in a new season of mothering with the older kids that requires a lot of trust and prayer. Not trust in my mothering but trust in God's grace and His promise to complete the work He starts. My trust is in the Holy Spirit's work in their lives and the fact that God's Word is with them. I know it is in them because I planted those seeds. Now, I pray and trust... and wait like a patient farmer.

"See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, 

patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm"

James 5:7-8

 I am asking God to water the seeds and the Holy Spirit to cause them to break open and spring forth a valuable crop.

Instead of biting my nails (which I have done a lot over the last 2 years), I have to continue to be faithful to do what God is calling me to do: to teach my younger kids to know and serve God. And to ask God how He wants to use me now. There are no "good old days" with Jesus because He saves the best for NOW (John 2:10). And it is always "now". So we can always look forward to the best days of our lives when we walk with the Lord. Live with expectancy. 

The last year our family has walked through an excrutiatingly painful trial. I have walked through a lot of trials over the last 20 years but nothing like this. If it weren't for the power of God, I would not be moving forward. Through our family's pain, God has been working in us. One of the supernatural things He is doing in me is allowing me to see other people's pain.

 The other night we were dropping Reece off at college and we went out to eat. As we were walking in the restaurant, there was a big tough dad yelling at his daughter in their car. I saw it as we walked in. He was cussing her out and berating her. She was in a softball uniform and about Hope's age (13ish). She was alone in a jeep with him and it was awful to witness. Then they walked in and sat at a table across from us. Her mom and brother were there and the dad continued to cuss her out at the table. She had no one coming to her defense. The mom sat quietly. The dad was drinking a beer. It was obvious nobody dared challenge him. She walked into the bathroom and I followed her. In the bathroom behind closed doors, I said- "are you ok?". She just stared. I said, "you need help. God sees what is going on and He wants to help you". Tears began to pour down her cheeks. I said, "I want to help you". She said "do you have your phone?". I ran back to the table to grab my phone and she gave me her number. 

God is El Roi- the God Who SEES.

He is giving me His eyes to SEE.

The next day at Church I saw a lady across the room and I could see pain written all over her face. 

The other night at the pool I talked to a 93 year old lady for a long time about her life. She was so full of the Spirit and beauty, it blew me away. I thought to myself, "she must have had an easy life to have this much joy". Then her daughter told me that years ago she and her beloved husband were vacationing in Daytona beach. They were celebrating his retirement and walking hand in hand on the beach when a drunk driver hit them and killed her husband. She was in a critical condition in a coma and went through a long and painful recovery. Now, here she was all these years later talking to me about the goodness of the Lord. She spoke with kindness. She had known the deepest pain yet come out beautiful and tender instead of bitter and hardened. How? Only forgiveness and knowing the love of Jesus could do that. Now, she was ministering to me. She was showing me that trials can make you more lovely. 

People are HURTING. I am more aware of it than ever. And most of the time, the deepest pain of all is silent because the enemy isolates you after he attacks you. The people who should support you or protect you hurt you and you have no idea where to turn. 

These are the people I want God to lead me to right now. People without a voice. People who feel hopeless. People who have known betrayal. People who need a word that SUSTAINS the weary. 

I want God to lead me to these people. I want Him to take me to the hurting captives because He has given us the keys to open their prison doors. God, where are they? Where are the people you want me to go to with Your Word and Your hope?

Recently I read the passage about the disciples fishing all night and Jesus telling them where to cast their nets.

 "So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.  

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”  So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn."

John 21:3-6, 10-11

When I read that passage, I thought- "I want to catch 153 large fish". 

"God, can you still use me? Have I aged out of the system? Can you still pour your Spirit out on me to reach people? Will you show me where they are? Show me where to cast my nets. Help me to catch 153 large fish. I want to lead 153 people to you before I die."

That is my current prayer. I am weaker than I have ever been because of the trials. But isn't that when I am strongest? I am more broken-hearted than I have ever been but isn't that when God is closest? 

So, I ordered some tracts to be ready to share the gospel. I am praying for eyes to see the people God wants me to share good news with. 

Maybe it's you? Are you one of my 153 I have prayed for?

Are you hurting? Do you need hope and to know that God truly will use all things together for good IF YOU LOVE HIM. Do you love Him? He loves you.

Have you ever been honest with God about your sin and need for a Savior?

 

When I was 19 years old all alone in my room, I opened my Bible and saw my need for a Savior. I knew I was not going to heaven if I continued to live in sin and rebellion. 

I didn't want to pretend anymore. I said, "God, please forgive me. I need your forgiveness. If I can know You, I want to KNOW You".

He met me in that moment and quickened me. He brought me to life. Everything changes when you surrender your life to Jesus. 

Don't put it off any longer. Be reconciled to God through Jesus. Heaven throws a party every time a sinner repents. 

REPENT. TURN AROUND. RE-ROUTE. 

If you are trapped in sin or addiction, there is freedom through Christ. 

Jesus sets captives free. 

Today is the day of salvation. God will treat you better than you would ever treat yourself. He has plans for you that will blow your mind. But you have to TRUST Him.

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. 

The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense[; 

He has become my salvation.” 

Is 12:2

Who wants to join me in becoming a fisher of men? 

It's time. There is a hurting world out there. We need to ask God to give us CREATIVITY to know how to build His house. We need to ask Him where to cast our nets. And I am specifically asking God to help me lead 153 people to Christ.  

If you are hurting, please email me. I want to pray for you.

tsblackiston@comcast.net

Do not suffer alone. God sees your pain. He took your pain upon Himself so that by His stripes, you could be healed.

May God bless you today.

Give your time and attention to prayer and to being in the Word today.

God wants to reveal Himself to you.

All my heart, 

Steph

Redeeming Repentance

 

 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial."

1 Cor 6

I woke up at 5 am this morning with so many thoughts swirling through my head. Writing helps me process and I am hoping writing God's Word will help someone else process.

There has been a lot of discussion/arguments about the movie, Redeeming Love that just came out. I read the book almost 20 years ago when Reece (our oldest) was a newborn. I don't remember details but I remember not being able to put the book down and crying. I loved it back then. It was a beautiful story of God's relentless love toward someone who did not deserve it. I think we can all relate to that!  A lot of women did. It pulls you in emotionally. 

It quickly seemed to become everybody's favorite book. So when they announced a movie was in the works, I was so excited! This was gonna be awesome!! Such an opportunity to bring God's Word to life and it is always fun to support Christian movies since we want more of them. 

I planned a romantic night out to a fancy dinner with Tim and then we were gonna go see the movie the weekend it was released. What a perfect date night! My friend texted me and asked what we were doing so I told her. She texted back, 

"heads up...heard Redeeming Love has a lot of soft porn in it". 

Huh?? You should have seen the look on my face when that text came through. So, I googled some trusted movie review sites. She was right and spared me (and my cute prince!!!) from unknowingly walking into something I would never have signed up for.  

I shared this info on facebook and said I wasn't going to see the movie. Since then, hell has broken loose (no pun intended). Many women were thankful for the heads up but others were offended. 

I have been accused of a holier-than-thou attitude. That I should be able to "handle" it. That it is a great teaching tool for young girls to understand redemption. 

Almost all the Christians who have seen it say the sex scenes are "uncomfortable". One friend said she had to get up and walk out. 

(I have to wonder if that "uncomfortable" feeling described  by so many Christian women is the Holy Spirit grieving.) 

What is the big deal? 

Most people love to say "Primetime TV contains much worse". 

A lot of women justify the sex scene because they are "married". So, somehow that makes it ok to watch two people having sex? 

We are seeing a de-sensitizing. 

"Having lost all sensitivity, 

they have given themselves over to sensuality"

Eph 4:19

I was talking to my spiritual mom about all this and she said she had a raw conversation in her women's Bible Study. She asked them: "Would it be ok if I came over to your house and watched you and your husband have sex?" They said NO. "Would it be ok if I came over and listened to you and your husband have sex?"- NO. "Would it be ok if I had camera crews come and film you and  your husband having sex and then I watched it on a screen?"-NO. "Then why is it ok to do it and slap a Christian fish on a film of 2 people having sex and thousands of women watch it?".

She also went on to say that one of the acts of Baal worship back in the day was for 2 people to have sex on Baal's altar and people gather around to watch. That was an acceptable sacrifice to Baal!! :( 

This movie is suppose to be based on the book of Hosea. It is ironic to me that it is exposing thousands of women to the very sin that angered God in Scripture. The fall out from this movie also doesn't point to the Lord. The fruit is rotten. Division, fighting, compromise, etc...

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The Bible is CLEAR about how we deal with sexual immorality. Run, flee, put it to death!

Why? Because God wants us to miss out on a cool new movie? No. Because He wants to BLESS us. 

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts"

2 Tim 2:22

After years of doing conferences for high school/college age girls, I quickly discovered porn wasn't just a problem for guys. Girls were addicted to it too. From college girls to homeschool girls, erotica and romance novels quickly turned into porn addiction. They didn't know that the sin they flirted with was more addictive than heroine. 

If looking at a naked person can take down King David, it can take down me and YOU too. 

Our eyes are the lamp of our whole body. If our eyes are filled with light, our whole body will be filled with light. But if you are allowing darkness in through your eyes, it fills your whole body and your whole life with darkness. 

This IS a big deal. That is why I am willing to speak out about it. 

Even though I am getting beat up for it. I don't care. Take your shots. 

I have looked into the eyes of girls taken PRISONER by this and lives shattered. I have wept with my best friend as her husband went into rehab for porn... AGAIN. Eventually divorce was inevitable. Soft porn (if there is such a thing) turns into hard porn that turns into death porn that turns into lives, marriages, and families devastated.  

I have looked into eyes that are filled with this darkness and the depression that comes with it. No one should be flirting with sensuality. Not even in a "Christian" movie that plays on your emotions. It reminds me of Eve. The fruit "was pleasing to the eye". There will always be a lure. Something that will draw our flesh in.  James 1:14 says that our sinful nature is DRAGGED AWAY and ENTICED. The Message puts the next part it this way. 

"Lust gets pregnant and has a baby- sin! Sin grows up to adulthood and becomes a real killer."

Sexual sin is different than other sins. 

"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body."

1 Cor 6:18

 Exposing yourself to sexual sin is planting seeds in your heart, your mind, and your marriage. You just don't realize they are venus fly trap seeds that start eating away at all things pure and lovely in your life. I'm not letting this garbage anywhere near my marriage. Marriage is HOLY. Sex within marriage is sacred. It is not meant for the big screen. It is the holiest of holies and to be treated that way. If you want a good sex life, you have to protect it! The enemy hates amazing sex lives. Because our bodies are instruments of righteousness and a weapon against him. He will do anything he can to keep us from experiencing the beauty of sex in its fullness. The devil wants to RIP YOU OFF.

We cannot give our flesh a chance! We cannot think we are beyond temptation. You will get DRAGGED by your flesh. Like my mom always said, "sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay & cost you more than you are willing to pay".

The enemy knows how to entice us without us even knowing we are walking right into his trap. He will make the fruit lovely to look at. Just like the Venus fly trap! 

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Nothing is considered sacred anymore. Holiness seems like an out-dated idea with no relevance in our culture. Holiness has become "optional" for the believer. The Word is no longer the standard. Our emotions are. 

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 

1 Thess 4

When we understand what Jesus did on the cross for us and what our sin did to Him, we should HATE what is evil and cling to what is good. It is a command that is for our good. The people who choose to live holy are the most blessed, most joyful, most satisfied people I have ever met. 

The Bible tells us why they are this way in Isaiah 35 when it talks about a Highway called the "Way of Holiness". 

And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

 

and those the LORD has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Is 35

When we make the choice to shun evil and separate ourselves from sin, we travel on a different road. 

There are no fools there or lions or beasts. But only THE REDEEMED. Those who know what their Savior has done for them. The redeemed sing! They have joy and gladness! Sorrow and sighing flee away. When you are living in sin and compromise, you no longer have those precious things. 

It is a a parallel highway that we are suppose to walk on as we sojourn to our eternal home. 

Righteousness matters! I explained it to my kids like this: Imagine God giving you his most beautiful robe (or wedding gown). The Bible says we are suppose to be "unspotted" (James 1:27). 

Pure religion is this... to keep himself 

UNSPOTTED from the world.

So here you are in your God-given robe (or wedding gown). The devil has a paintball gun, the world has a paint ball gun, and your flesh has a paint ball gun. You gotta learn how to BOB AND WEAVE (or shun as the Bible calls it!). So that when He appears you can stand before him "confident and unashamed" (1 John). It is His righteousness that gets us into heaven but we have been called to live holy lives and to be UNSPOTTED. 

Listen to what our heavenly Father expects of His sons and daughters:

"What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? 

For we are the temple of the living God. 

As God has said:

“I will live with them

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they will be my people.” 

Therefore,

“Come out from them

and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.” 

And, “I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters"

2 Cor 6

This is on my heart not because I want to condemn people. Jesus didn't come into the world to condemn but he did flip tables when people started selling diseased junk to His people and using His name to make money! Redeeming Love sure reminds me of that. This is not acceptable to the Lord, nor is it holy. But it is VERY profitable. 

So, what is our response? Shame and sorrow? Maybe. 

If you have been living in sin, there should be shame and sorrow. 

BUT- God says if you go to Him with godly sorrow, you will find mercy and salvation and A LIFE OF NO REGRET. (Wow, what a gift!)

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret

2 Cor 7:10

"Repent" is not a popular word but it can change the course of your whole life! And it is not a one time thing. We produce fruit in KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE. Acts 11 says repentance is a gift from God!

God has granted repentance that leads to life.

I know from Scripture there are two main responses to someone who preaches repentance. 

1. Beheading (John the Baptist)

People want to kill you (most of the prophets in Old Testament)

Crucifixion (Jesus)

OR

2. Salvation (Jonah)

Preaches repentance and an entire wicked nation falls to its knees. 

Salvation (Jesus)

A remnant responds. 

May that be us! Falling to our knees. Responding to Jesus and His call to holiness.

I am asking the Lord to show me areas I need to repent of and HE IS. He wants the best for us. He wants to give us ABUNDANT life. He doesn't want us walking around in chains and wounded by our chronic bad choices. :( 

 He wants us to walk in freedom. 

But we have to LOVE HIM MORE THAN OUR SIN and even our deceitful hearts that lead us astray. 

I am bracing myself for the attacks. Just don't use the "holier-than-thou" one. That's not what this is.  That dart is just a smoke screen.

I am BURDENED to see believers walking in the fullness of life and to bring God glory in the way they live. 

Ask God to give you HIS convictions. Not mine. Not your friends. HIS!!!

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness

John 16:8

He chose you out of the world. Don't go back. It is empty. 

The enemy only wants to steal, kill, and destroy.

But Jesus came that you may have LIFE and have it the full. 

Guard your heart!

Guard your marriage (or your future marriage).

Be a gatekeeper in your home. 

Don't grieve the Spirit. If something makes your spirit get tied in knots, GET OUT OF THERE. The Holy Spirit always has your best in mind. 

If you are ready to repent and TURN from anything you know goes against God's Word, just spend some time in prayer. Confess your sin. He is faithful and just and will FORGIVE!

You will receive mercy and find salvation. 

Know this is from my heart and that I am FOR YOU.

If you will take the Word seriously, and take sin seriously, be prepared for a joy-filled life of no regret!