Casting stones

When I came to Christ it was not because someone shamed me into it. I knew I was living a life that was not pleasing to me, but most of all it was not pleasing to God and no amount of self denial could hide the weight of my own sin, guilt and shame. I knew I needed a savior, one who would Love Me Where I Was At and for Who I Was... A sinner in need of rescuing. I needed a savior that would pull me out of that pit I was stuck in and put my feet of the solid rock (Christ) I needed him to show me I was worth more than what I was selling myself for, I was worth more than the lies I tried to buy as truth for my life. I was stuck in a pit of sin that could not bring him honor or glory and brought me only self inflicted pain.
    I try hard not to cast stones because I too am guilty of sin and would be guilty of hell if I had not surrendered my life to Christ. I sometimes fall short in this area because I defiantly don't condone sin by any means and when it comes to my family I tend to get defensive and protective. With that being said what we often fail to see is the very scriptures we use to convict others with, we ALL at some point have found ourselves struggling with one or more of these sins. Some Christians feel justified to attack certain sins because God's word says these sins are wrong, but truth be told, if someone had yelled and told me All the areas of my life that were a mess I would have felt like I could never be good enough to come to God and seek forgiveness. I would have probably given up and sank deeper in my sins. The truth is God's Holy Spirit convicted me and God's word transformed my life, it was not because of people's condemnation of my life that I found Christ.
    The problem with casting stones at certain sins is it makes the person struggling in that particular sin feel like they are unloved by God because of their struggles (which is not true.) it also makes us Christians seem like we don't love them either (which for most of us is not true either.) It also makes the ones throwing the stones, seem like they are without sin, when PRIDE might be their greatest sin struggle. While I don't believe in loving people with a lie and that God's word is absolute truth, he wants what is best for us. I know for me God transformed my life by reading the bible and doing intensive bible study. Through that he slowly transformed my life, and my desires... He replaced lies I had learned with his truth that sets us free. You can't expect people to only hear parts of God's word and except it as truth for their life. God showed me things that were unhealthy in my life and needed to be changed and showed me unhealthy habits I had formed that needed to be replaced, he's still showing me things that needs improvement.
      I believe the bible is absolute truth it is not a bag of trail mix that we can pick and choose from to make God into whoever we want him to be. The bible is also not a weapon to be used to inflict personal injury on certain people because of their struggle with sin... All sin is punishable by death, yours, mine, and theirs. The problem with attacking gay people on behalf of God is they are loved by God and are just as in need of Jesus as anyone else. Casting stones at their behavior, when they could just as easily cast stones at my sin would be foolish. Just because certain sin in people's lives are easier to identify like being gay or an alcoholic or an addict or an adulterer and so forth and seem justifiable to cast stones at...but truth be told hidden sins like porn addicts, lust, envy, greed or the more acceptable sins like gluttony, pride, gossip are just as bad as sexual immortality. Sin is sin.
    Jesus said let him who is without sin cast the first stone, with that being said his grace does not give us permission to sin freely. I lay down my stone because I am guilty of sin, I fell on my knees because I needed a savior and I could have been the one the Pharisees dragged out to stone, I raise my hands in praise because I am forgiven and have been set free from the punishment of my sin.
   God is a God of love but do not be fooled by satan's deceptive lies for He is also a Holy God who will not accept unrepented sinful behavior which is punishable by eternal separation from him in hell. This is why He sent His son Jesus to die for our sins. The issue isn't are you a sinner... We all are sinners in some way shape or form. The true issue is have you realized your need for a savior, Jesus? Remember Jesus didn't come for the well, he came for the sick. I'm thankful I was among "the sick" to be made well. I'm thankful God renewed my mind with his word and showed me areas that needed fixing in my life. Lastly as Billy Graham put it I'm thankful that it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love.

There is true power in forgiveness and praying for those who try to persecute you

There is true freedom and power found in the forgiveness of others and those who try to persecute you. I read these two messages a few days ago, I love when God confirms something you are going through in life, don't you?

The first said: Jesus said to love our enemies . We have to love those who oppose us.  If you only love those who love you back what kind of love is that?
The other said:  Just smile and move forward. When God is truly the head of your life, he will fight for you, and the efforts of those to try to destroy you will be unsuccessful.
Before we even read these last week Ray and I lived these messages out in our lives. There is true freedom in praying for those who try to bring harm into your lives, there is amazing freedom found in forgiveness of your enemies (those who try to inflict evil unto you) God is so faithful to those who are his children. He showed us first hand "if our God is for us then who can ever stand against him" Evil is prevalent in this fallen world but God is faithful. Even though you may not be able to control other people's evil deeds or actions... Evil will not prevail. What is meant for bad God can and will use for our good. The result from last week's struggles resulted in a greater peace and stronger confidence in who God is and a stronger unity between Ray and I. When someone attacks you, don't turn to hate, for hate and revenge are not from God. They are from satan and he loves when we try to seek revenge instead of trusting God to handle it. Pray for those who wrong you, because when all is said and done God loves those people just as much as he loves you, and his desire is that none shall perish. Thank you for all the prayers last week. They helped more than you know to bring us to this conclusion. We are blessed with our loved ones and friends. I love our family in Christ.

For those who have been forgiven much shall never forgot God's mercy extended to them

How I love when a person shares the depths of themselves, where they've been and how God rescued them from their pit of sin, without fear of ridicule or being rejected by man who is equally sinful. When they are real and honest and able to share their pasts and the struggles that tried to defeat them. When they set aside the fear of what others may think or say about who they once were, and they honor God by sharing their testimonies. God's given you a story (a testimony) to share with others. He's placed people in your life that need to hear it, they need to see the freedom and what God's transforming power looks like in your life, through the victories he's helped you accomplish. One thing I pray often is: God, never let me get so far away from my sin that I forget where I came from, or the rags I wore when you rescued me. I was a wreck, but you saw the beauty buried within and your love transformed my life. Jesus got ahold of my heart and breathed new life into me. He renewed my mind with the word of God. He gave me a crown for my rags and welcomed me into his family. That's the power of amazing grace.

The road to freedom

I'm so thankful that actions I did in my teens, early  twenties, or even yesterday are not held against me. The simple truth of it is we serve a God that forgives us and keeps no record of wrong, once we've surrendered our lives to Jesus and ask for our sins to be be forgiven. He is a just God and his mercy does not give us permission to sin freely as though there's no consequence. Sin has consequences that is why God calls us to live righteously. However big you may have messed up in your past, God's love for you covers even your worst mistakes, so we can hold our heads held high free from guilt once we've repented and turned from sin. Just because someone knows who you were or mistakes you made in the past does not mean they know who you are today or who God's transforming you to become.  Don't let yesterday's mistakes keep you from enjoying today. Christ paid a high price for your freedom don't let something or someone hold you in bondage. God doesn't call you to perfection only that we be willing to allow him to transform us. It is not a painful process for the things removed from your life are things that are harmful to you and to the ones you love. God is patient with us for he desires nothing but the very best for you. I pray you've asked him into your heart to be your personal savior so that you can experience a freedom like no other. This is my prayer for you my dear sweet friends. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me

Not everyone means the words they say, young ones beware

Young friends out there... don't give yourself over to a few sweet words spoken from a deceiver's lips. These are words I wish someone would have taken the time to teach me. There are men out there that pray on young children and teens. They want nothing more than to steal your virtue, so please dear precious ones know your worth and your value, respect yourself and don't ever sell yourself short. When I was young I gave away pieces of my soul and didn't even realize it. I allowed the devil to steal pieces of my integrity when I was too young to know the consequences. But one thing God is showing me is the past is the past. Leave it there. I am redeemed. Loved. Cherished. The daughter of the king of kings and so are you. These are words I wish someone would have spoken to me.  Parents be aware of your children's personal lives, a lot can happen in the homes you view as a safe place for your children to visit. Keep the communication lines open between you and your children. Reassure them that they may tell you anything for you love them and want the very best for them. Also do not hesitate to talk to other people's children out of love and concern for their well being as well. Not all parents take the time to invest in their kids so you may be helping more than you know.