What's on your mind?

What's on your mind as you go about your day? Are you mindful of opportunities to evangelize? Do you have tracts readily available to you for just the right moment? Do you think about how you can share with the person standing in front of you?

I use the million dollar tracts, available at www.livingwaters.com, and people love them! I hand them out as I check out, go to a drive-thru window or just talking to someone. I try to be always looking for those opportunities to share the Gospel to a lost and dying world. As I look around I see folks who are lost and undone and don't even realize it. How will they hear unless we tell them?

What about opportunities with your children or family members? We must be on the lookout for those teachable moments with our kids in order to train them in godliness. Lost family members need to hear the Gospel just like others. Don't be intimidated by the fact that they are your family. We must see all lost people as lost and in need of the Gospel, no matter who they are. The masses of people in the world are literally sinking down without hope and without a Savior, undone with a load and debt of sin they must account for when they stand before God. Let's be the bearer of news; the bad news first about their sin and then give them the Good News that their debts have been paid by the greatest act of kindness; God sent His Son to pay it in full!

Be on the lookout for those moments to be like the street preachers of old! Anytime will do for anyone who will listen! Yell it from the mountain tops! Preach it on the streets! Tell it to the check-out clerk! "Be ready, in season and out"!

For His glory and the Gospel,
Bronni

Are you a good person?

Are you good person?

If so, are you good enough to go to Heaven?

Perhaps you haven't thought about it but, if you die today you'll face eternity either in heaven or hell. Are you sure about where you will go?
Perhaps you have thought about it and it scares you! It should!

Well, I have good news for you! You can know for sure and you just have to answer a few questions to find out.

Let's see if you are good enough according to God's standards:
1. Have you ever told a lie?
The Ninth Commandment says - "you shall not lie" Telling just one lie, according to God's standards, makes you a liar.
Revelation 21:8 God says, ".......all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire........"

2. Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small?
The Eighth of the Ten Commandments is "You shall not steal." Stealing just one thing (regardless of it's size or monetary value), according to God's standards, makes you a "thief."
In 1 Corinthians 6:10, God says, "No thieves... ...shall inherit the kingdom of God."

3. Have you ever looked at someone and had lustful thoughts?
The Seventh Commandment saysm "You shall not commit adultery. According to God's standards just looking at another person with lust makes you an adulterer.
Matthew 5:28 "Jesus said,"You have heard it said, You shall not commit adultery: But I say to you, that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
1 Corinthians 6:9-10, God says, no adulterers "...shall inherit the kingdom of God."

4. Have you ever used "God", "Jesus" or "Christ" as a curse word? ("oh my ....")
The Third Commandement says, "You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain." If you've ever used the name of God as a curse word, you've taken the name of the One who gave you life and used it as a 4-letter word to express disgust. That offense is called blasphemy.
Leviticus 24:16 'Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him. The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death."

Well, the truth is, everyone would fail this test because everyone is born a sinner so, you are not alone!!

What this test showed you is how you would score when judged by just four of God's Ten Commandments. So, if God judges you by that standard would you be innocent or guilty of breaking His Commandments?

If you say guilty you would be right!

Do you think He would send you to Heaven or Hell based on how you did on the test?

If you said hell, you are right again because God is holy and just and cannot allow sinners into heaven.

Does the fact that you're headed for Hell concern you? It should concern you and here's why.

Would you sell one of your eyes for a million dollars? How about both eyes for ten million? No one in their right mind would! Your eyes are precious to you... but they are only a "window" for your soul. Your soul (your inner being, your life, your personality) looks out through those eyes. Consider how precious your eyes are... then realize that Jesus said that Hell is so horrible that you would be better off tearing out your own eyes than ending up there for all eternity

Mark 9:43-48 "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. "If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. "If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell,where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.

Do you know what God did so that you wouldn't have to spend eternity in Hell?

Because we are all guilty and none of us could ever get to heaven on our own, He did the kindest thing anyone could ever do. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay YOUR sin debt by His death on the cross - suffering the punishment that justice demands - so that you wouldn't have to go to Hell. Then He rose from the grave, forever defeating death! The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

So what does this mean for you? It means God made a way for you and calls you to repentance and faith in Jesus alone for your salvation.
If you will repent of your sins (that means to confess and forsake or turn away from your sins) and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone, God says he will forgive all your sins and grant you the gift of everlasting life. If you do, you will not have to suffer God's justice in Hell because the payment for your crimes was made by Jesus on the cross.

If you're not sure what to pray, read Psalm 51 (pasted at the bottom for you), and make it a model for your prayer. The words are not "magical," what God cares about is the attitude of your heart, of sincere repentance for your sins. When you pray, it should sound something like this, "Dear God, I repent of all my sins, such as (name them). I put my trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord (to say Jesus is your Lord means you are now making Jesus the master over your life) and Savior. Forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

If you have TRULY repented of your sins and placed your faith in Christ, start reading your Bible EVERY DAY, and obey what you read. God will begin immediately to change your heart and give you new desires. Ones that will please and bring glory to Him! Isn't that good news?




What should you read? We suggest that you start in the book named "John," and then read the one named "Romans." Whatever you decide to read, make sure you read every day.

Psalm 51:1-17
King David's Prayer of Repentance

1. Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.

2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

3. For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.

4. Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight--
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.

5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.

6. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8. Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

9. Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.

10. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11. Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

14. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

15. O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

16. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.

17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart--
These, O God, You will not despise.

I would love to hear from you! If you placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, I would love to send you some resources to help you grow in your faith.
Have questions? I can help!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Spreading the Good News for the glory of God,

Bronni

Life without regrets

There's a loaded statement! Life without regrets? Is that even possible?

As I look back over my life I see many things I wish were not in my past but alas, there they are sitting there like big sores on my life!! YUCK! How did they get there? Well, unfortunately, I put them there. In some cases, I lacked parental leadership, spiritual maturity, role models, etc. Well, I can blame whoever or whatever I want but ultimately, I did it!!

I see in my family that with every generation the spiritual maturity deepens and the resources available to us to grow in Christ have become greater. Now let me clarify that we've always had the Bible and that should be our first resource for any problem in life but I do believe God uses great men and women who are surrendered to the Holy Spirit to help us along the way with great books that are full of Biblical advice and ways to help us get through difficulties and learn how to make wise decisions. There's nothing wrong with that. I could have used some of those earlier in my life and some more mature leadership.

When I look back to my high school years, and some beyond, I am amazed at what a poor job I did of living out my faith before others. I would probably be ashamed if I met one of them today and asked them who they thought I was then. I knew the truth and had received the gift of salvation offered me through grace alone. Though most of my peers knew I was a "Christian" I'm not sure they knew what that meant in my life. I made bad choices and today I live with those choices in the way of regret and shame and wish I could make them go away. That however, is the natural consequence of sin.

I can redeem those wasted years by living fully for Christ in the now. As I do have contact with those from my past I have the opportunity to tell them that my life is different today and that whatever they saw in my earlier in my life should in no way reflect who I am in Christ today. Am I bold enough? Do I have enough courage? You bet I do! I brought shame on the name of my dear Savior who redeemed my life. How could I do less than proclaim Him now? I just publicly proclaimed it on a website where my high school friends can freely read it. I pray they do! By taking every opportunity to share with those around me the truth of the Gospel I can leave my regrets at the cross and go forward, pressing toward the goal. Satan would love to bog me down with my regrets but Christ died to free me from my past.

Got regrets? Turn them into opportunities for the Gospel. Let Christ dwell in you richly so that you can do no less than shout from the rooftops that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and mean it with your life! Live for Him in obedience to His Word, taking every resource available to grow and learn how to glorify God with your life. This is a life with no regrets!

Living every moment to the full for Christ,
Bronni

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy!

Remember that old song we sang in Sunday school? Where is that joy supposed to be found? Down in my heart!!! I think for many Christians today their joy has gotten buried under the rubble of crumbling marriages, wayward children, broken friendships, job losses, financial ruin, etc, etc, etc. I see them walking around and their faces do not reflect what should be in their hearts. Where is their joy? They have allowed the circumstances of life to rob them of their joy, at least on their faces. The joy that comes from knowing Christ cannot be taken away. It's there forever!

The problem is people are looking in the wrong places for their fulfillment in life and it's affecting how they reflect the joy they have in Christ. We will never find our fulfillment in fallible, sinning people. They will always let us down, disappoint us, do us wrong, and so the list goes on. If we are looking for our jobs, spouses, children or anything else to fulfill our desires in life we will always come up short. The joy in Christ means nothing in this life should ever be able to keep us from experiencing that joy daily. If our eyes are on Christ and our desire is to honor Him with our lives, then nothing should keep us from experiencing joy everyday because we are looking to Him Who is the joy giver. He is the only one we have to please and if that's our goal then all other things in our lives will pale in comparison and joy will be the prominent expression on our faces each day because we are serving the King of Kings!

Does that mean we will never be sad or disappointed or not affected by our circumstances? Most certainly not! However, our reaction to those circumstances are the determining factor in how much joy we reflect. Yes, we will cry sometimes and be sad but wallowing in that circumstance is different. We will be able to get through those times with the joy still in our hearts and go on to bring God glory out of those situations.

Do people see that we turn to our precious Savior for comfort when bad things happen? Or do they see us fret, worry, wallow, or stress over the things that happen to us? What kind of testimony are we portraying? When we worry we say that we do not trust God and that our circumstance is beyond Him. Do they see a joy that nothing can rob us of no matter what happens? Do they see someone who can rest in the work of the Cross and leave our worries there? Do they see someone who is committed to giving God glory in all things? Look at your face in a mirror when things aren't quite going the way you think they should. What do you see? Can you honestly say that your hope rests in Christ? If so, no matter what He brings your way will you will rejoice and be glad, and give Him all the honor and glory?

I pray that my life will reflect that kind of joy. I pray people will always be able to see that my hope and joy is in Christ and nothing else. He is the only one that will not disappoint me and He alone can fulfill all my desires. If we are right with Christ our desires will be His desires and He has promised to give us the desires of our hearts if we seek Him. Don't let the enemy, or anyone else for that matter, rob you of the joy that's yours in Christ. Guess that old song, "Don't Worry. Be Happy" has some value!!

So, dear friend in Christ, let your joy spill out on those who see you!


For His glory,
Bronni

Where have all the Christians gone?

The more I look around the more I wonder where all the Christians have gone! I hear people professing to be Christians but I can't see it in their lives. It seems a little curious! In my desire to know God's Word and what it says we should look like as believers I am saddened by the lifestyles and practices of those who profess Christ as Lord. It has made me a little suspicious.

1 John is the book of diagnostics for the believer and a book we would all do well to read over and over! As I have read through this book and confronted people with it's truth, I have had to examine my own life to see if I am displaying these same characteristics. As a sinner by nature I must do this regularly. 1 Cor 13:5 says I am to examine myself. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?" Sobering words, huh? So, I must do this to keep myself in line lest I get to the finish line only to find I didn't run the race with endurance nor get the prize; and eternity with the King of Kings! Not something I want to face!

Now I know some of you may be thinking things like, "I don't smoke or do drugs" or "I am faithful to my spouse" or "I am not cruel to animals" or "I go to church every time the doors are open" and the list could go on. Well, those things are well and good but won't get you to heaven nor are they proof of your salvation. I do propose that smoking isn't good for you and our bodies are, after all, the temple of the holy spirit so why would we want to do something to our bodies that are harmful? Being a faithful spouse, especially in todays society, is noble and Biblical but any moral person would do that. Hebrews 10:24 says, "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." So, going to church is Biblical and should be a natural part of a Christians life. Still, not proof of salvation. Many go to church who are actually unsaved.

So, what are the distinguishing marks of a believer? Well, here's your homework. Read 1 John and it won't be hard to discover what we should look like to the world. Pay close attention to 1 John 4 where it talks about confessing Christ. You'll hear a lot of people out there saying they are Christians and profess Jesus Christ but the message has been a little warped and the confession does not match up with Scripture. Discernment needs to be carefully applied when listening so you can test what is being said against Scripture. If it doesn't match up, they aren't talking about the Christ of the Bible, you can be sure!

When you're done with that flip on back to Romans 12, then top of your study with Galatians 5:14-26. If you aren't sure by that point then let me know!! We'll have a wonderful conversation! I pray your studies will deepen your love for Christ and cause you to imitate Him in behavior, thought, word and deed. If in your studies you find that you really don't know the King of Kings, repent of your sin and turn to Christ. You will stand before holy God one day and answer for your sin and what you did with Christ. He stands ready to receive the repentant.

May God bless you as you seek Him through His Word! A wonderful message waits for you to unfold it!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

Time flies when you least expect it!!!

As the time approaches for our oldest daughter to leave home to finish her last 2 years of college 3000 miles away, suddenly I have an aching in my heart. She'll turn 20 this month too! My little girl grew up right before my eyes! How did that happen? I ask myself that question frequently. I find myself answering that she was only mine for a short time and that this is what is supposed to happen. Do I like it? Not on your life!

I remember, like it was yesterday, when she used to sing in front of the big sliding glass door watching herself sway to and fro in her long, flowing nightgown. I remember, like it was yesterday, when I dressed her up in a Christmas dress, tied her hair back in a red ribbon and sent her off on a date with daddy to see The Nutcracker. I remember, like it was yesterday, how excited she was when she learned she would be a big sister. I remember all too well our very first day of homeschooling; what she wore, where we sat. I remember when she finally learned to ride her bike. That was a great accomplishment! I remember taking her picture after she got braces. I remember, I remember, I remember everything about that little girl like it was yesterday! But wasn't it yesterday?

My little girl has grown up into a beautiful, talented, gifted woman who loves Jesus and desires nothing more than to be a wife and mommy and watch her little gifts from God grow up right before her eyes. When did she become a woman? When did I become her friend? Did I teach her all she'll need to know about being a woman? Did I remind her enough that God loves her so much and made her especially to be my little girl? Have I told her enough how much I love her and how proud I am of her? Likely not but I know I don't need to stop telling her just because she grew up! God's Word is clear that I am to teach younger women and she will always be younger than me!!

Over the last few months I have come to realize that life truly is a vapor. I didn't think that when she and her sister were toddlers, potty training or asking 50 questions! That seemed like an eternity! Now, it seems only a breath and here I am, about to say good-bye to that little girl.
Looking back, and you know hind sight is always better, had I known just how fast it was going to go, I think I would have cherished those little girl years a little more, sat with them a little longer, played a little more and loved on them a little harder. Where does the time go? With every breath, that's where, and as fast a breath comes and goes. My advice for you moms with little ones: cherish, play, hug, kiss, watch, and thank God for the time you have right now. Your tomorrows will seem like only yesterdays before you know it.

To my daughter, Alison, I could not be prouder of who you have become. My love for you is deeper than you'll ever understand, until you are a mom, and my heart will ache when you are gone. You have grown into the kind of woman that I dreamed you would. You love Jesus and your greatest desire is to serve and worship Him. I couldn't ask for anything more! God has given you a wonderful opportunity and I know you will make the most of it and grow like never before. Use your gifts and talents to honor Him and bless others!

To my daughter, Andrea, I am proud of who you are becoming. I love you with all my heart and am looking forward to our special time together. I love watching you with children and the special gifts God has given you to care for them. I love that God made you and Alison different because you both bless me in so many different ways. I love that you and your sister have developed a special relationship that time will only deepen as you grow. There's nothing like a sister!! I should know, I have 4!!!

Well, for those who know us, pray for us. This will be a big adjustment for us all and not an easy one! We are well aware that God has provided for this and we are excited about what He will do in Alison's life throughout the next 2 years. I am thankful for the years we've had and know that this chapter of rearing her will close for us but her life is just beginning. She'll be on her own, making choices, making new friends, learning what life is all about and finding out that it is all about doing everything to God's glory. I can confidently say that I did, to the best of my ability, teach her that it's all about God and that her life was created to bring Him glory. Now I get to watch what God does when I'm not around! How exciting!!

California, here she comes!!! My little, grown up girl!!!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

God: The Sovereign

In my ever increasing knowledge of who God is it becomes more clear who I am and what I was created for. In our Foundations Class at church Wednesday night we continued our discussion/lesson on foreknowledge/foreordination. There are those out there who would argue that God makes decisions because He already knew what people would do. However, it is clear that things happen only because God foreordained them to happen and that's why He knows what will happen. Everything happens because He has already decreed it. He cannot change his mind because He is Sovereign, not a limp-wristed, waffling, shaky God who changes His mind with the shifting of wind. He has created all things to glorify Him and for His good pleasure.

Romans 8:28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

He has a sovereign will and a moral will and those 2 things are very different. His sovereign will dictates what will happen and no circumstances change that, He has already decreed it. This is the will that decides every detail of our lives. His moral will is that all come to repentance though not all will and He already knows that. Repentance only comes because He grants it. His moral will, for example, is that men should not kill each other needlessly, as in abortion. We are to live righteously.

Once I grasped this truth that God is sovereign in all things my whole perspective changed on life and how I see things. It took a weight off me actually! I can rest in the fact that nothing happens to me that hasn't already gone through the fingers of my loving Father who has allowed it. Afflictions as well as joyful times are all to make me more like Him. He knew before the foundations of the world who I was and all the events that would happen in my life no matter how small. Now that is a sovereign God!! Even foreordaining the death of His Son.

Acts 2:23this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

He sovereignly chooses some for vessels of honor and some for destruction. Who am I to question? People only come to repentance and salvation because He decreed it and He granted it. It has nothing to do with us. As a matter of fact, NOTHING has to do with us!!! It's all about God and His good pleasure and will. We should pray in all things for God's will no matter what it is. Though we are to petition God on behalf of others and intercede, He has already decreed what will happen to them. The praying is for our benefit to keep us in constant communication with God our Father. "God if it's Your will", "Father, if it glorifies You", "if it please You". These are the words we should be using to pray. Our prayers do not change what God has already foreordained but He wants to change us so that our will is in line with His.

Do you see how important it is to understand that God is sovereign? It means that you can know that everything in your life has already been marked with God's stamp of approval so all is well. Nothing takes Him by surprise. You should never be surprised by the things that happen as if God had no knowledge of it and then question why it happened. It happened because God foreordained it to happen for His glory and your good. Period!! I think that is awesome! When things happen I can confidently say, "God, how can I glorify You through this circumstance and proclaim Your greatness and majesty? Show me how I can become more like You by this affliction." Likewise, "God, thank You for this wonderful blessing You have bestowed on me. How can I use it to glorify You and proclaim Your grace and mercy?" It's all for the same purpose. To glorify our Heavenly Father who in His grace and mercy granted us repentance unto salvation!! Praise be to our Sovereign God!!!

Does this mean we should never experience human emotions when things happen? Absolutely not! It does, or should, provide comfort in knowing that God will work it for our good. We will cry, weep, mourn and be sad but not as those who have no hope. We can rest in the arms of our loving Father who will carry our burdens and safely carry us to the other side of each trial. God does have emotions and understands ours.

Rest, my dear friend in who God is and know that He is working ALL things out for His glory and your good. He cares, He knows, He heals, He works, He grieves, He grows and He understands. He alone is God, He alone is worthy, He alone knows everything and is in control, perfectly!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

Election or Free Will? You choose!!!

Catchy title, eh? Well, there is much heated debate these days between well-known theologians as to what the Bible really says about the doctrine of salvation. I'm sure somewhere it has split a church, broken friendships and just plain wreaked havoc among strong believers. Having been raised in an Arminian American Baptist church most of my life I never questioned this particular doctrine. I just believed what I was taught, end of story. Well, it was that way for everything when it came to Biblical knowledge! I pretty much didn't have any!

My husband began to question the teachings about soteriology and many of the practices of todays seeker friendly, contemporary church. We began to grow weary of the pragmatic way in which the mainstream churches were operating to "draw" people in. They were more focused on that than feeding and maturing their own believers, which is what the church is supposed to be doing. Church isn't for the unbeliever.

The more my husband read the more he was convinced that the doctrine of salvation had nothing to do with us but rather completely the work of our Sovereign God. I, too, began to study and discovered a wonderful truth that has changed the way I see God. As you will read in the passages listed below, we don't have free will to choose or not to choose God. I can't find that anywhere in Scripture! How can He be Sovereign if we have free will? He can't! We make Him into a weak, pitiful God who has no say in the matter of who enters His heaven and who doesn't. It makes Him seem as if He just stands at our hearts door knocking and begging us to let Him in. That's not a Sovereign, ommipotent God!! He does everything for His good pleasure, including electing who will be saved. That's completely His choice and we have nothing to do with it.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Being chosen by God to be one of His own, before the foundations of the world, when we deserve nothing from God but wrath is a humbling thought! He is Sovereign and that includes choosing who will be saved and who won't. That still means that I am to take the Gospel to the world and share it with lost people however, God is the one Who is ultimately responsible for saving people. I am only a vessel He uses. It also means that I don't need to worry about who gets saved and who doesn't, which takes a huge burden off me. I know that God already knows who He has chosen so I can rest in His decision to be right, true, holy and just. That's what it means to be GOD. He has that right. Who am I to question who God saves and who He doesn't. I am the creature, not the creator. What thing ever created got to chose what it did? It's the creators choice to do as he pleases with what He creates. God does everything because He chooses to. He does not have to wait on us, get our permission, our opinion or our help. See for yourself.

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.

Matt 24:31 "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Eph 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

Romans 9:11-16 "for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Romans 9:23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

Ephesians 1:4,5,6 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Mark 13:20 "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

Colossians 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Luke 18:7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

Romans 11:7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Revelation 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Romans 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

Ephesians 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Matthew 16:18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

I don't know about you but I don't see anywhere in these verses that says we have the free will to chose God. Do you? If so, I'd be interested to know how you came to that end.

The first part of Romans is replete with verses about how despicable man is, incapable of any good, none who seeks God, etc., etc., etc! We cannot be saved unless God grants us the grace to receive His salvation. Our eyes must be opened and our hearts illuminated by His Spirit. The road to Heaven is narrow and few will enter. Matt 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it". That is a sobering thought! There are many today who would say, "Sure I'm a Christian!" but all you have to do is look at their life and it won't take long to figure out that what they profess is not what they live. Matt 7:20-21 So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." Too many people rely on that fact that they "prayed a prayer" and now they have assurance of salvation. There is SO much more to it than that! God has chosen some for honor and some for destruction. HE chose, not us and not everyone is chosen. Doesn't that explain why there are some people who no matter how long you have witnessed to them they never come to faith in Christ? They may be among those who have not been granted salvation by God and no matter how much you say to them, they will never have saving faith.

Are you saying right now, "well, that's not fair!" Why would God choose some and not others? He does all things for His good pleasure!!! Eph 1:5 "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will". Who are we to question His sovereignty or choosing? It is only by God's kind intention that we take our next breath!! God is Sovereign over ALL things in this world and nothing happens to us apart from His perfect will and design, including our salvation. That brings such peace to my heart knowing that everything that happens to me is part of God's plan to perfect, grow and sanctify me no matter how bad something seems, God planned it and that's enough for me to rest in. Why would He be sovereign over everything but the salvation of man? The fact is, His Word is clear that He in fact is sovereign over all things and He does choose who will be saved and who won't. I cannot find anything contrary to that in Scripture and it makes sense that He chose me because apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, I am incapable of doing good, seeking God or desiring to be like Him. It is all His work in me and praise God that I am part of the "few" that will enter through the narrow gate! I give God all the glory and take no credit for my salvation.

So, to sum it all up, this isn't an issue worth fighting over or leaving a church. It just changes the way you view God. He is Sovereign or His isn't! That's really what you are "choosing" to believe, not whether to be saved or not because God is the One who reserves that right.

I welcome your comments or questions!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

What exactly is worship?

After my last post I have been keenly aware of how little worship I really do from day to day. I am still reading MacArthur's book on worship, Ultimate Priority, and am convicted page after page! I look at each of my days and look at how much time I waste and areas that I could be using to worship. When we think of worship most of us probably think of church on Sunday. I know I have most of my life. I'll share with you what I have read so far, which I guess will be a synopsis of this book and hopefully help you understand just what worship is. It has changed the way I think about worship.

MacArthur gives the definition of worship as: honor and adoration directed to God. He further states that a key adjective often used in the NT to describe worship is acceptable. He gives 3 catagories of acceptable worship.
1. The outward dimension - Rom. 14:18 how we behave toward others.
-Evangelism - Rom 15:16
-Giving to those in need - Phil. 4:18
2. The inward dimension - Eph. 5:8-10 our personal behavior
-doing good 1 Tim 2
3. The upward dimension - Heb. 13:15-16
-praise and thanksgiving to God

Next, he points out that we are to display whole-life worship. This is to honor and adore God in EVERY area of life, Rom 12:1-2. We are to do the things that are acceptable and pleasing to God. Worship begins with us and by the power of the Holy Spirit, goes up to the Father. It's what we give to God, not what He gives to us. It's what we were created for. John 4:23 "For such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers."

Nehemiah is a great record of God's blessings upon a people who worship. When they worshiped God properly He blessed them. When they failed, He chastened them. You may be asking, "what is proper worship?". I'll list MacArthur's categories of deviant worship. I was greatly convicted by this!
1. worship of false gods - Isa. 48:11 This isn't just idols made of stone, metal or wood, this can also be idol of materialism (Job 31:24-28) or just plain refusing to worship God.
2. worshiping the true God in a wrong form - Ex. 32:7-9 We should never try to visualize God or create a human image of Him. This is idolatry.
3. worshiping the true God in a self-styled manner - Matt. 15:3 We see this in many churches today. Creating our way of worship instead of God's.
4. worshiping the true God in the right way, with a wrong attitude - Is our whole heart in worship? Do we give the best we have? Are we filled with awe and reverence? Malachi 1:7-8 the people were treating worship with disdain and flippancy, offering lame and sick animals. Have you read the strong words God utters in Amos 5:21? He says, "I HATE, I reject your festivals." Those are pretty strong words! God has a standard for worship and He hates anything other than what He has laid out for us. Also read Hosea 6:4-6 and Is. 1:11-15 for more indictments about improper worship.

Sadly, many churches today have failed to properly worship and have brought God down to their level removing His holiness and majesty. They are a flurry of activity and programs while leaving worship completely out of the picture. He has become our buddy, homeboy, pal, dude, and whatever else people want to make Him into to suit their needs. He is the all-loving God who wants people to have the good life, never bring about suffering or ill-will. He's their sugar daddy who is there only to serve their desires. He is no longer the object of worship rather their felt needs are their object of worship and God is supposed to meet all of them. Oh, what a dangerous way of thinking and living!

MacArthur goes on to say, "true worship consists not of the externals, like sacrifices, burnt offerings, and ritual, but rather is grounded in the crucial matter of knowing and loving the true God. Without knowledge of God, all worship is unacceptable worship."

Well, this is a much as I have read and as you can see, this is enough!! If I didn't read any farther in this book, I have certainly changed my perspective on worship! I will look differently at how I do things realizing that I am either worshiping by doing what is pleasing and acceptable before God or I am guilty of deviant worship.

While this has been about whole life worship, it is still important to pay attention to how we worship corporately on Sunday. I am now so much more aware of the little preparation that is put into worship as we enter our churches to worship each week. I am so excited to see everyone and catch up on the events of the week that I totally forget that I'm not there for what I can get but what I can give to God. I am trying each week to come in, make the necessary preparations then take my seat, reflect on God's Word, pray for my pastor and for myself that I will worship in spirit and truth. I would be remiss to do any less and I don't do a very good job of it at that!

If we have the attitude that we have come to give God the best of our worship with humility and sincerity we would likely enter with heads bowed and His Word in our hands open and preparing to be taught from it. We would quiet ourselves before Him confessing our sin, lifting our praise and adoration to Him and ready to apply the message that His messenger has prepared for us. "When you hear a sermon, hear for yourself...let the chief intent of your mind be to consider, "In what respect is this applicable to me? And what application ought I to make of this for my own soul's good?" Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

I am ashamed at how little my life worships my God. I have a reverential fear before God that my worship has been deviant worship rather than acceptable. God help me! I pray that this has helped you understand just what worship truly is. Next time you see me in church or daily, ask me how I've worshiped God or prepared to, won't you? I need the exhortation!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

What do you mean I can't go on Sunday?

Well, it's time for me to get on my church soapbox!! I am amazed at the Christians who consider church as an "if I have time" activity. I can't imagine doing anything else on Sunday morning other than gathering with my brothers and sisters in Christ to collectively worship God in spirit and truth. What else could be more important? Who else is worth my time, adoration, praise, and worship other than almighty God? It is clear in Scripture that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

I am amazed at the excuses people give for not coming to church on Sundays! Where is the commitment to worship? Where is the hungering and thirsting for God and His Word? Have we replaced our commitment to worship corporately for trivial things? For my whole life Sunday has always been revered as the day we worship with other believers. There is never a question about whether or not we are going to church. Even on vacations when I was growing up my mother would tell my father to find a church and we went. (no, sadly my father was not the spiritual leader so my mother made sure we were in church regularly.) That has carried over into my adulthood and parenting. It was a wonderful heritage my mother passed on. Sunday worship is not replaced by anything else.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a legalist and I don't go out of legalism. I also want to clarify that worship is to be a way of life and cannot be relegated to one place, time or segment of our lives. It must occur in our everyday lives. I am talking about our corporate worship that is done with our fellow believers on Sunday where we are exhorted, admonished and encouraged from God's Word from God's messenger. If our lives are lived out in worship the natural overflow of that is that we desire corporate worship. I understand that there are emergencies and sickness and travel and those all have their place in our lives but just how easy is it for us to bag church for something else? Do any of these find their way into your Sundays?
-If someone in your home is sick, is it necessary for everyone in the family to stay home and take care of that person? Why would dad or mom not get the rest ready and head to church for the teaching and preaching of God's Word?
-In our home if we have company that does not deter us from worship. We let our guests know that they are welcome, even encouraged, to join us for worship. If they choose not to come we do not change our plans. We do what we normally would do on Sunday, which is go to worship, and return at our usual time. If we remain home on Sunday, when we would normally worship, what does that say to our guests? It says that worship is not that important to us.
-Would you ditch church to play golf, watch a game on TV, stay in bed because you went to bed too late on Saturday?
-Do you find yourself staying home because you "just don't feel good"? I have to be really sick to stay home or have something contagious. (Hey, most people probably don't "feel good" most days because we are in bad shape physically!) I love worship! I love the opportunity to sing praises to my God, fellowship with the saints, hear the Word boldly proclaimed, and just be part of the wonderful way in which God's people minister to one another. Why would anyone want to miss out on that?

Warning: Satan will do everything in his power to divert, discourage, and just plain wreak havoc in your home to prevent you from going. Do not, I repeat, do not give him the victory! Persevere, press on, tie those shoes, change that dress, leave that mess and go get some encouragement from God's Word. That mess will still be there when you get back and you'll be in a whole lot better frame of mind to deal with the train wrecks when you return!


Worship is so critical in our home that we prepare for it all throughout the week by making sure our plans do not keep us up or out too late so that we are well rested and prepared in our hearts and minds to worship on Sunday. Why would a Christian choose not to come to church, or come late or leave early? Well, I have a few ideas of my own!
-They are not Christians at all. I hear you gasping! But let's face it, most churches have at least half, if not more, of their congregation consisting of lost people.
-Worship is not a priority.
-Sleeping in is more desirable.
-They have the mentality that their own personal quiet time is enough.
-They are disobedient to Scriptures clear command to assemble.
-Church is just an aside to their normal activities. If they have time or don't have anything better to do.
-Church is only a social statement.

We must examine our priorities and see where corporate worship fits in. Is worship important to us? Have we set aside Sunday as the day we corporately worship no matter what else may come up? Are we going out of legalism or because we truly desire to hear God's Word being taught? Nothing is ever on our calendar on Sunday mornings. That is worship, period!! I long for Sundays! I love Sundays!!

Where were you Sunday? In church worshiping in spirit and truth or sleeping in, taking a drive in the country, watching TV?
Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
I highly recommend reading "The Ultimate Priority, John MacArthur on Worship". You will gain a clear, Biblical perspective on the whole purpose of worship and what true worship is.

Hope to see you in worship Sunday!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

When we suffer

Our church has experienced great suffering in the last 2 weeks that has most certainly refined us. Being in the Refiners fire is not always pleasant but does always produce that which God intended and that is for us to come out as gold and praise His great name.

Our pastor and his wife experienced their 3d miscarriage. We were so excited when she conceived! She was farther along than with the other 2 and things were going so well that we were sure that God would bring this pregnancy to full term. We were all devastated to learn that God had other plans when they received news that the baby had died. Certainly God is ultimately the One who orders our steps and makes His plans come to fruition no matter what we may plan. They have both been a testimony of God's grace as they have continued to praise God and bring glory to Him in the midst of their trail. They have remained faithful to their God and King.

A little over a week later our dear friend and co-laborer in the faith experienced a near fatal car accident. His wife happens to be my best friend and we have a long history of friendship together. She has been there for me in difficult times and now it's my turn to undergird her. It has been my pleasure to serve her and help her in this very difficult circumstance. Yes, it hurts me to see her suffer but I know that God is refining her and she is experiencing God's grace for each day. Their place at church will be empty for a long time but we will be reminded each time we meet for worship that God is teaching our body lessons as well that will refine us.

Our friend has a long road ahead of him and he will be able to see a functioning church body as we come to his aid and minister to him during a long recovery. We will never understand why God chose him, one who always brings joy and laughter to our lives, one who has a true and tender servants heart, one who is faithful to the Lord and his wife, one who wants desperately to see his father and son come to faith in Christ and yet how humbling that God would choose any of us to be His pawn as He works through the Holy Spirit to draw others to Him. This may be a part of the call to his son and father to repent and believe. Indeed, it is a pleasure to suffer for the cause of Christ if even just one comes to repentance.

If you are reading this as a believer, lift up a prayer for our dear friend, Ken, to the Great Physician on his behalf. Pray for God to use this tragedy to bring triumph over sin, by repentance and faith, for those watching. We are all going to be in the crucible of affliction at some time or another. Is it your desire to be used of God, tested and to come out as gold? Or will you gnash your teeth and scream your hatred at the Sovereign of the universe as His does his refining work in your life? If you are an unbeliever, beg Him to have mercy on you, repent and come to faith in Christ today!! You may not have tomorrow. In an instant your life could be snatched away and then you will believe in this Sovereign God!

Yes, it is good that we are afflicted, for God will get glory and use it for our good. Jesus was willingly afflicted for us, how can we do any less?

For Christ and His Kingdom,
Bronni

Guess who's coming to dinner?

When is the last time you had someone to your house for dinner? Coffee? Lunch? To play games? There is a lost art in the church today called "hospitality". People's lives have become so complicated and busy that they simply don't have time for anyone else. Or so it would seem! If we don't have time for other people then we have missed the boat!! We are certainly not following the example Jesus set for us by giving of Himself to and for others. I know we are busy and time is a precious commodity but frankly folks, we're not THAT busy!

Hospitality is a command in Scripture, not a suggestion. It is a requirement of church leaders, did you know that? Your elders/pastors should be regularly hosting people in their homes and ministering to those in need. I think we have let the urgent replace the important in our lives and because of the many demands on each of us daily we can easily use that as an excuse to hide behind. Perhaps it's time to reorganize our priorities. I have found that the best way to get out of the daily rut of life and get my socks blessed off is to make time for other people. When my circumstances are less than desirable, I'm having a bad day, things aren't going quite the way I expected, I look for someone I can minister to. Suddenly, my problems fade away!! Imagine that! I help someone else and I don't have problems anymore. I guarantee it works! Just try it! Next time your having a bad day, got out and help someone else and watch what happens!

When we open our homes for ministry we are adorning the Gospel. It is our avenue for getting the Word to those who otherwise may not hear it. What needs to be understood here is that hospitality is not just for our "friends" but rather for those in need, the lepers, diseased, unlovable, outcasts who cannot repay our hospitality. Okay I hear you out there saying, "who has leprosy today?". Well, it may not be the Biblical form of leprosy that we are familiar with but trust me, there is another from of leprosy called by many other names in our society today. You should be meeting with your friends and hosting church family members but you also are to be hosting those who are needy. Those who could never repay such kindness. That is where the real blessing lies.

We need to get our of our comfort zones and step into the blessing zone of hospitality! Swing open those front doors and watch what God will do! Start by inviting someone you don't know or don't know very well. Perhaps you have a neighbor who lives alone, or one who is going through a tough time. Maybe a co-worker who is asking questions about Christianity or who is even hostile towards it. Maybe that homeless person that you pass everyday on your way to and from somewhere. Don't you think Jesus would have stopped and touched that person? When we invite people into our homes it gives them a glimpse into our lives, who we are, what makes us tick. Perhaps that co-worker who is hostile towards Christianity has only seen examples of unkind behavior or hypocrisy from other so-called Christians. This is the part where you adorn the Gospel instead of blaspheme. Your home is a personal place where you invite people to come and watch you live and serve. It is a place where you can dispel their fears, lift their fallen spirits, wipe their tears, lend an ear, give an encouraging word. Can you think of any reason NOW not to open your home?

There is another reason you should do this. YOU need it! Perhaps you are the newly married couple who needs an older, godly couple in your life to model what a Biblical marriage is. You need to spend time with them! Get them in your home and watch them! Perhaps you are the new Christian who has no clue where to start in this journey. You need a more mature Christian who has been a consistent example of godliness to you and could provide you with the guidance you need. Get them in your home! Maybe you're the shy person who really doesn't know much about how to be hospitable or how to discipline your children or how to clean your house or how to study the Bible. You know people who can teach you all those things so what are you waiting for? Get them in your home! Use their talents and skills for God's glory!

Are you beginning to see the importance of this ministry? You can't afford NOT to do it! God commands it, we need it, it is our scriptural duty, it is a distinctive mark of Christians and Christian communities!

The New Testament shows itself to be a close-knit family of brothers and sisters:
Rom. 16:5& 16, I Cor. 16:1, 20, 2 Cor. 13:12, i Thesss. 5:26, I Pet. 5:14, Gal 2:10, Heb. 13:16, James 2:15.......need I go on?

Here is a quote from Alexander Strauch's book, The Hospitality Command (I highly recommend it!)
"I don't think most Christians today understand how essential hospitality is to fanning the flames of love and strengthening the Christian family. Hospitality fleshes out love in a unique personal and sacrificial way. Through the ministry of hospitality, we share our most prized possessions. We share our family, home, finances, food, privacy, and time. Indeed, we share our very lives. So, hospitality is always costly. Through the ministry of hospitality, we provide friendship, acceptance, fellowship, refreshment, comfort, and love in one of the richest and deepest ways possible for humans to understand. Unless we open the doors of our homes to one another, the reality of the local church as a close-knit family of loving brothers and sisters is only a theory. A cold, unfriendly church contradicts the gospel message."

Matthew 5:14 says "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Our homes are a launching pad for the Gospel, a lighthouse for those groping in darkness. Turn your lights on!!!

Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
Jesus preached in homes. We can share the Gospel right at our kitchen tables!

3 John 7,8, Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
Host a missionary family. Talk about being blessed!! Their stories are awe inspiring!

Open the doors and they will come! If we are too busy then our spiritual priorities are wrong, plain and simple! This week invite someone to your home and savor the sweet blessing you will receive! I would love to hear your stories or comments on how you were blessed by being obedient to this command.

For Christ and His Kingdom,
Bronni

Gossip, that unknown realm

You sure don't hear much about this subject from the pulpit today . Oh, you might hear someone say, "you shouldn't gossip", but you may not be aware of just how much we really do gossip simply because we have never explored what it really means. I have been struggling with this word for quite a while now as I try to determine what it is. I am ever more aware of what I say and why I say it. The Holy Spirit is quick to remind me when I do and I must respond to that prompting.

As always, I first want to go to God's Word and see what He has to say about the subject. For the faint of spirit or weak of tongue, you may want to sit down but whatever you do, don't leave this page just yet!

Lev 19:16 "You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD."

Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 101:5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.

Prov 6:19 false witness who utters lies,And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Prov 10:18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips,And he who spreads slander is a fool.

Prov 11:9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

Prov 11:13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

Prov 16:28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close
friends.

Prov 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the
matter separates close friends.

Prov 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a
man's inmost parts.

Prov 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

Prov 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

Eccl 10:11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

Matt 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of
judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Eph 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

2 Tess 3:11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are
busybodies.

1 Tim 3:11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect,
not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

1 Tim 5:13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from
house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and
busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

Titus 2:3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be
obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

1 Peter 3:10"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."

Well, I guess we could just stop right there, get the duct tape out and never say another word!!! However, I am going to go a little deeper. Hey, I may need this more than you so just bear with me!

I was so perplexed by this word that I had to check Webster's definition.
gossip:
1. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
2 a: rumor or report of an intimate nature b : a chatty talk c : the subject matter of gossip

Next, I went even further to figure out what some of the other words meant in this context.
sensational: arousing or tending to arouse (as by lurid details) a quick, intense, and usually superficial interest, curiosity, or emotional reaction
intimate: of a very personal or private nature
personal:of, relating to, or affecting a particular person: relating to an individual or an individual's character, conduct, motives, or private affairs often in an offensive manner

Next, I read a few messages from Dr. John MacArthur and here's what he had to say:

Gossip­-someone who is quick to discuss private matters. Also, such a person is apt to say one thing to one person and another to someone else to gain his or her own personal goals.

Are you often tempted to talk about someone else's sin? Well, after love deals with a person's sin it covers it with silence. Love certainly doesn't gossip about it. How much of your conversation would be silenced if you never gossiped about the faults and sins of others? At the end of each day, try and recall how often you gossiped about someone else's faults. Confess it, and then commit yourself to love the brethren by not rejoicing in their sin or repeating it to others.
Although we don't throw literal stones today, we often do throw stones in the form of verbal assaults or gossip.

OUCH!!!! Okay, I'm guilty! I've done these very things, completely unaware most times, of what I was doing. Now, as I said earlier, I have become much more aware of this in the last year or so because my pastors, one being my husband, speaks to this from the pulpit regularly so I can't help but be aware. As I look back on my conversations with others I am sickened to think what I said. No, my motives were not always to drag someone through the mud or mar their character but that's just what I did. Yes, sometimes that's just what my motive was. God help me!!

Here's the really sad truth about this very sketchy subject, it's not always about negative stuff. Have you ever told someone that another person is pregnant? You say, "that's a happy thing" or "that's not gossip because it's not going to hurt anyone". Did that person give you permission to tell others they were pregnant or did you just rob them of a joyful moment?

Here are a few questions you probably should ask yourself before you speak, and trust me, I'm learning to keep my mouth shut the hard way so I'm going to put this into practice pronto!!

Is it gossip?-----------

Is what I am about to say going to hurt someone's character?
What is my motive in saying this?
What do I hope to accomplish?
Do I have permission to say something about another from that person?
Would I say to the persons face what I'm about to say about them to someone else?
Am I breaking a confidence?
Am I participating in gossip by listening to another person talk about someone else?
Is this an intimate detail that would embarass the person whom it is about?

When someone comes to you and wants to "discuss" something about someone else, ask them this, "have you talked to so and so about this before you came to be?" What if someone needs to "vent" or talk about what someone did to them so they can feel relief. It's gossip! Stop it right there. Encourage them with Scripture and tell them you will pray for them but don't allow them to damage others in the process.

Here's a sad scenario: I'll use bogus names!
"Jane" hurt you to the point of ruining a friendship or revealed something personal about you. You in turn, begin to tell others what Jane did to you because you need to be "encouraged" or get your frustration out or feel relief or get someone elses "opinion" about how you should handle it. That person you just told, (we'll call her Joan), now has a preconceived idea about Jane. Well, Jane comes to you several months later realizing her sin, repents, apologizes to you and restores the friendship. Later, you and Jane run into Joan and you introduce Joan to Jane. Joan has a funny look on her face. Why? Joan sees you with Jane, who you "gossiped" about, and wonders why you would want to be with "that kind" of person. What have you done to Jane now? Joan can't forgive Jane because you already scarred her character and now you are going to have to ask Joan to forgive you.

See the ugly web gossip weaves!!

What if it's fact? It doesn't matter, you must still ask the questions above and determine why you even need to talk about it. Fact or not, it may still be gossip.
Confrontation and correction is never easy for anyone and no one likes it, however, we must stop using our tongues to inflict harm. I certainly do not want to be the person described in Romans 3:13 "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS".
Weigh everything carefully before you say it. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and bring to your mind the Scriptures that are clearly targeted at your tongue.

I will still struggle with this because I am still a sinner in need of God's grace and mercy. I will probably have to go apologize to someone again and again because my pride and selfishness will continue to get in the way of the Holy Spirits refining work in me.

May God help us to be encouragers to one another, with uplifting and kind words. Look for the good in others because there's enough bad in ourselves that we don't even need to look for it in others! You hold me to this and I'll hold you to it!! Deal?

God bless you as you seek to honor Him with your lips!

For Christ and His Kingdom,
Bronni

Sensible, pure, workers at home, kind

Be sensible! We've all heard that phrase at one time or another. Well, what exactly does it mean? Merriam Webster says: having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason; rational: (syn.) reasonable, perceptible.
Making wise choices that benefit your home and family and that honor God. It all comes back to adorning the Gospel. Praying about decisions, asking for discernment, seeking God's will through His written Word. It is the foolish woman who tries to go it alone, without searching the riches of Scripture for the answers. I am sure I would make poor choices on my own. I can only depend on the all-wise Creator God to guide my decisions and lead me in the right direction. I am teaching my children how to make right and good decisions by the ones I make. Am I reasonable in the things I ask my family to do? Are my expectations of them reasonable? Am I rational during family discussions? All of these are part of being sensible.

Pure-A lost word in today's society, or perhaps I should say, redefined. The real meaning: free from moral fault or guilt; marked by chastity; free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes; containing nothing that does not properly belong.
We see anything but that in the media and even at the mall! Godly modesty is directly related to purity. When we dress, we need to ask ourselves, am I trying to bring attention to myself and evoke sensual feelings in others about me or am I dressing in such a way that God will be seen above all in my life? What do your clothes tell others about you? We should be ashamed if the way we dress draws attention to parts of our bodies that causes sin or temptation for others. Look in the mirror and see if God would be pleased with what you are wearing. When you bend over, what can be seen? Are there things showing that shouldn't be?
You don't have to dress in dumpy clothes to be modest. I believe we need to be beautiful for our husbands and as women. You can dress modestly yet classy. Just cover up, but not too tightly! I love Talbots! I look for those at consignment shops. Those are great places to find traditional, classic clothes that you can afford. Look at Barbara Bush. I have never seen her that she did not look classy and beautifully attired, yet very modestly dressed.

Purity also leads to a question of faithfulness. Faithfulness to our spouse begins in the heart and mind. If we are lusting in our minds, it's the same thing as committing adultery. We need to take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 If you are struggling with lust, pay attention to what you are watching, reading and listening to. Outside influences can affect your thought life. Remove anything that is causing you to stumble. Get rid of the cable!! Get rid of the romance novels! Those especially have no place in a Christian home. Satan will use whatever he can to cause discontentment in marriage. Get an accountability partner to help you. That is Biblical!

Another sore subject for many is women working outside the home. I may get hate mail from this one! Again, if we go to Scripture it is not a sin for a woman to work outside the home. However, where you see women talked about, like in Proverbs 31 or Titus 2, she is at home keeping and managing her home. I don't know about you, but I have so much work within my home to keep it running smoothly and efficiently that I simply could not work outside and do what I do here. I could not be ministering my family and others if I was working because then I would have to make up for the time I was not at home doing what I needed to. I miss out on the blessing of ministering to others. Work can cause many conflicts with home. If you have a sick child you then have a boss that you are subject to and have to answer to. You have to use the time you have after work catching up on household chores thereby taking time you could be spending with your family. You could miss out on ministry opportunities because you have to work on the day your church may be helping a needy family. You are now accountable to someone other than your husband. Childcare could become a problem at the last minute causing you to place your children in a less than desirable situation. Who is influencing your children?
Here is the real question; why are you working outside your home?
"We are so in debt that I have to". There are consequences to debt but leaving your home to pay it off may not be the answer. Sacrifice may be.
"We just can't make it on one salary". Is it because you really can't even buy food or pay the bills on one or do you want more "stuff", to eat out often, travel? Perhaps your husband needs a second part-time job or seek another one that will provide for his family.
"My husband says I have to work". Here, you must submit! Pray that God will change his heart and perhaps even his job so you can be at home.
"We can't pay our mortgage on my husbands salary". Time to buy a smaller, less expensive house!
"My children won't have anything if I don't work". What could your children possibly need that would cause you to leave your home? Toys, gadgets, designer clothes? If you ask any child today, they want their parents to spend time with them, not stuff. Children want a loving, safe home.
We can all live on much less than we think. It's the media that tells us we need more "stuff". If we have food in our mouths, clothes on our backs, a warm place to sleep, healthy children, a steady job for our husbands, what more could we need? God has promised to meet our every need. Have you taken God's place in providing? Do you not trust Him to meet your every need? Satan wants you to worry and fret over everything and take over what God has promised to do. Yes, you may have to suffer the consequences of debt but leaving your home will not solve that problem. Discipline will!
Workers at home! Making a safe, loving, caring home for your family that will adorn the Gospel and minister to others.

If you are a single woman, your home can still minister to others as you use it for God's glory. Likely you do have to work but God can still use you mightily! You can have evening Bible studies for other single women, keep the children of a married couple who may need a night out once in a while. House a traveling missionary couple. Host parties! Don't miss out on your opportunity to bless others!

And finally, kind! of a sympathetic nature; disposed to be helpful and solicitous; of a forbearing nature; gentle.
Whew! How many times have we blown that one? We typically react worse to our families than anyone else. Do we treat our families with kindness or just others? We certainly don't want others to think we are anything but kind, but our families? Do we even care what they think? I must confess that I haven't always been as kind to my family as I should and therefore, how do you think my children treat each other? Certainly not always with kindness. I grieve over that! I blame myself that I have not been a better example. Why would we not be kind to our own families? God help us! We must pray for God to give us kinder hearts towards our families. Maybe you struggle with a particular person. Ask God to give you His love for them. We certainly don't deserve His kindness but He freely gives it. We must see others in the same light. None of us deserve anything but God in His grace does show us kindness, forbearance, goodness and mercy.

These are challenges but ones that we can manage with the aid of the Holy Spirit. We must constantly be aware of these things in our lives and how we are managing them. They are not optional! Ask your family if you are carrying out this mandate in Scripture. They will tell you!! We are called to obedience and if we are obedient to God and His Word, then we will be anxious to fulfill this mandate to be Titus 2 women thereby honoring and adorning the Gospel!

For Christ and His kingdom,
Bronni

Me, submit?

Well, I told you I had to save this for a seperate post so here goes! Hang on to your hats cause it'll be a bumpy ride for some of you!

Here are just a few of the comments I have heard said about "submission":
"No man is going to tell me what to do!", "I am not subject to any man!", "He doesn't have the right to tell me what to do!". Well, these are women who have no idea what Biblical submission is all about. Again, we will go to God's Word to get the true meaning.
Eph; 5:21-22 "and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord."
James 4:7 "Submit therefore to God."
Col. 3:18 "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."

It can't be much clearer than that! If we are not submissive to our husbands we are disobedient to God's clear command and we know how miserable disobedience is. If you look at James 4:7 that is speaking to everyone, including your husband. So, the right order of authority is first God then your husband then you. This does not mean that you are of less value than your husband, yea an equal heir of grace. It means that you submit to his position as head over you. No, you are not a doormat! You simply recognize that God has placed him in a position of leadership. The same is true of an employer. Would you subvert your employer? No, you submit yourself to their leadership position with respect.

Let's go a little farther back to the Garden of Eden, Gen. 3:16, "Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." It is a natural inclination for us to desire to rule over our husbands but God has not placed us in the position of authority. That was reserved for man. Now, I understand that there are men who abuse their position and women are truly "subject" to them as a slave rather than an equal. That is true of anything; there are always those who abuse. Biblical submission, however, means that we submit to one another, yes we are equal heirs of grace, but we are to honor his position of leadership over us. When a decision needs to be made regarding family, work, church, etc. our husbands should consult us for our opinion and thoughts but he is to make the final decision. My husband and I may not always agree on a particular decision but he will always enlist my opinion. It is our husbands who are addressed in Scripture when it comes to discipline of children, leadership in the church, war, leadership in the home. That is because he is commanded to lead and we to follow.

That position is also a protective covering for us as women and wives. When God came to the garden after the fall, who was the first person He called for? It was Adam. He was asking Adam where he was when his wife was being tempted to sin. Why didn't he protect her? What was he doing? He was standing right there!!! Our husbands also protect us and sheild us from the devastating effects of sin by keeping us within the protective bounds of our homes, which is where God has called us to be. He knows that out there in the world lies the serpent all too willing to tempt us to go for what we don't have; success, career, designer clothes, fancy cars, fine homes, etc. My home is a safety net and where I find my fulfillment as a woman, wife and mother. My husband protects me from those outside influences. As he follows God's commands laid out in Scripture I happily follow his lead.

What if my husband does not lead? First, let's deal with the husband who is a believer but does not lead. You respectfully and lovingly ask him to lead. Take him to Scripture and read together what God has commanded of each of you. If he is truly a believer, then he must answer what God has commanded in his word. If he still will not lead, then you go to your church elders and ask for help. He must be held accountable by godly leaders. You don't just step in and do what he is supposed to do. You serve him in love, honor and respect. Serving by managing your home and caring for your family. This is service to your husband.

How do I submit to an unbeliever? You submit unless you are asked to do something that would clearly be sin according to Scripture. That is the only condition by which you can refuse to submit. You can honor and respect an unbeliever because of the Holy Spirit alive and working in you. This does not remove your husband as the head of your home. You are to serve him just like you would a believing husband. He will see in your life a difference that only comes from yeilding yourself to the work of the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 3:1-4 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
Do you see the importance of living out your faith before him? You don't know if he is chosen of God or not so you must live the Gospel before him. That means submitting to his leadership. If he makes poor decisions, then, yes, the consequences will most likely fall upon the whole family, however, God has promised to meet your needs and your family will also receive the same blessings you do because you are a believer.
So, take heart my friend, submission is a beautiful thing when done to the glory of God. That is the end of everything, to honor God with our lives and be obedient. That's what He requires and His Spirit enables us to perform that which He has called us to.

I welcome your comments on this subject that has been greatly misunderstood.

For Christ and His Kingdom,
Bronni