With or Without?

With or Without?

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Even Though

Even though I often chose to do things my way, my parents were always there encouraging me and supporting me. I am thankful to You Lord for putting me in this family.

Even though he may not have been who God would have chose to be my husband, God suited him up perfect for me. I am thankful to You Lord for giving me Craig.

Even though I didn't deserve them, He gave me two beautiful children. I am thankful to You Lord for entrusting me with their lives.

Even though I didn't get it quite right the first time, He gave me a second chance with a grandchild. I am thankful to You Lord for Your grace and continued blessings.

Even though I don't always go to Him first, He is always there when I do. I am thankful for Your forgiveness and mercy.

Even though it will cost me everything, I will follow Him. I am thankful to You Lord for my calling.

I give thanks to Him from whom all blessings flow. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night...For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:1-2, 4

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Facebook, Friends, and Slaves

Facebook. I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I've deactivated my account one time for a short time. It keeps me in touch with friends and family who I don't otherwise see on a regular basis.  It reminds us of others' special dates, i.e., birthdays and anniversaries. It can strengthen relationships. But it also frustrates me, bores me, and misinforms me. I think at times it is a tool of the enemy. Physically and spiritually. It can destroy relationships.

Friend. What comes to your mind when you consider what a friend is? Or to be a friend?

The Greek word for friend is philos. It's from the Greek verb phileo which means "to love, to have affection for."

Someone to share your life with, the good, the bad, the ugly. Someone who has common interests and goals. Someone who supports you, encourages you, cautions you. Someone who is there for you when you need them most. Someone you can trust with your stuff, material and emotional. Yes.

How about someone who has authority over you? Commands you? Someone who has bought and paid for you, they own you...kurios, which means "one who has power, ownership, and absolute authority." You are their slave. Slave. Doulos, means slave.

Recently on Facebook, at least on my (limited) newsfeed, there has been a post being shared that goes like this...

"My name is ___________ and I believe in Jesus Christ...He said deny Me in front of your peers and I will deny you in front of My Father." It then goes on to instruct you to put your name in place of ________ and post it as your status. To prove that you are not ashamed to be identified with Jesus Christ. [#facebookchallenge]

As a Christian, my first inclination is to "follow the crowd" and prove that I am not ashamed of Jesus Christ. But I don't.

I ponder it and realize that if you are a Facebook friend/family, or better yet, a  "real" life friend, you already know that I am a Christ follower. I don't have to put this in my status. I also don't post "If you have a daughter or son..." because they know I love them. I hope that my life, as lived, proves to Jesus and my children that I love them. You too Hunny! (my husband :) )

But, then, as I am one who needs time to process...I wonder if they would post such a status if they knew that by claiming to be a genuine Christ follower you are saying that He is your Lord (Kurios) and you are His slave. Slave?! Let's face it...if slave made it on Facebook oh the comments I'd get on that!

Well, the #facebookchallenge is found in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew 10:32-33. However, if you go on to read the next several verses you will find that Jesus did not come to earth to bring peace, but a sword. And in verse 38, Jesus states that anyone who does not take his cross and follow after Him is not worthy of Him. So, does the proclaiming unashamed Christian claim that he is willing to deny himself, and lose his life for Christ's sake? (Luke 9:23-26)

Do you know that the word slave appears 130 times in the New Testament? Of course you won't find it because the word slave is translated "servant" or "bondservant." A slave is someone who is bought and owned. A slave was somebody who had no personal rights, no legal standing, couldn't go to court, couldn't own property - no freedom, no autonomy. 

Slave is very different than servant. A servant is someone who does something - serves. a slave is someone who is something. We are servants to our employers. If you are a follower of Christ you are a slave.

I call my blog "Turnstiles" because the road to becoming a true follower of Christ is a narrow road. You can only enter through the turnstile alone, without your family, without your friends, without your possessions, without your baggage, without your rights, without your agenda, without, without, without. BUT! At the end of the road, which you've walked along with your Master you will hear Him say..."Well done good and faithful slave." Matthew 25:21

***I alone cannot take credit for the content in this post except for being the vessel in which God chose to use. The teaching I refered to is by John MacArthur, which I heard on November 20, 2015 after praying to God to show me how to handle my service to Him as it pertains to what I see on Facebook. Another time God tied up the frayed threads of the tapestry of my life! To God be the Glory.