Jesus as Savior and Lord

For the past week, the Lord has brought a phrase to mind over and over… “If Jesus is your Saviour, He must also be your Lord.”

I have heard this referred to as the Lordship doctrine, and while many have falsely believed that it is works based (you must change before you can be saved), it is totally based on Grace and is a change that begins at the point of salvation.

When we truly accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we are changed from the inside out. This transformation does not occur overnight, but as we live for the Lord, our greatest desire is to glorify Him, to serve Him and to love Him. Our focus becomes less self-centered and more Christ centered – in effect, He is Lord of our life!

As we grow in the Lord and are faithful to follow His word, He will reveal more of Himself to us and show us other areas where we need to change and grow. We do not change because we must earn salvation, but we do so because we love Jesus.

Sadly, there are many people who believe if they pray a magic prayer that they are saved. They “walk the aisle” then walk out the church door without a true change of heart. Many sit on the church pew Sunday after Sunday and praise the Lord with their lips but they do not praise the Lord with their life the rest of the week.

I have talked to some whose words or actions tell me, “I am saved and I cannot lose my salvation, so it really doesn’t matter how I live.” It truly breaks my heart as I fear that these very people are not saved. Oh, my friends, but it DOES matter how you live! The free gift of salvation does not give you the right to sin any more than the gift of a gun would give you the right to commit a crime. You see, Jesus looks at our heart. He knows if we are living a life for the praise of man or if we are living a life for the glory of Him. He knows if our greatest desire is to obey the Word of God or if our greatest desire is to follow the lead of the sinful world.

When Jesus is the Lord of our life, we base all of decisions and actions off of God’s Word. It doesn’t mean that we will never succumb to sin, but it does mean that when we do, we KNOW it (the Holy Spirit will not give us peace!). It means that our heart is open to change when we see that we are living in a way that is displeasing to the Lord. It means that we search the scripture and we pray for the Lord to change us to conform to His image. It means that we will not look like the world because we are living according to a higher standard. It also means that we will sometimes face hardship, ridicule, and even mockery for our decisions to fully follow Christ but through it all we can embrace the joy of the Lord.

Is Jesus truly the Lord of your life?

More thoughts on Twilight

This morning, I was thinking about Resurection Day and had some interesting thoughts that tie in with some of the comments I have recieved regarding Twilight. These may not be anything new to you, but just humor me.

There is ONLY ONE who has overcome death and that is Jesus Christ! He allowed His blood to be poured out for us! We must carefully guard our thoughts (and entertainment) to be sure that we are not allowing ourselves to be exposed to anything contrary to this. The popular Twilight series is about vampires... and these fictional vampires have also overcome death (through their blood).

So, when you really look at these facts, who are these dark beings mirrored after?? Our LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Anything that takes the place of Christ is an idol and God has commanded us not to have any false idols. We cannot mix darkness with Light but that is what is happening in the hearts of so many good Christians.

I really believe that this is a very dangerous series (like many before it) because it has become a false idol to so many. How many people do you know who are so excited about the new series of sermons at church that they will stand in line for hours just to be sure they are the first to hear it? How many can spend hours talking about how much they love Christ and will do so to anyone willing to listen at any given moment? How many will proudly wear "I love Jesus" shirts to show who their hearts are devoted to? How many have read their Bible 6 times in the past year because they just enjoy it so much? Do you see where I am headed with this? It seems that Twlight has taken the place that Jesus should be.

I know how easy it is to fall victim to the media hype and get caught up in something that seems so "fun and harmless" but this really is detrimental to our walk with Christ. There have been times in my life when my eyes have been opened to a false idol and I have had to just say "enough is enough" and seperate myself from it. We cannot put the different areas of our life into boxes and say that one part is how I live as a Christian but that Christ doesn't have a part of these other areas. No, if Christ is our Saviour, He must be LORD of every area of our life.

All For Fun

A friend recently told me that she just couldn't understand the current obsession with the Twilight series among Christians. I too have been saddened by this, but I do see that it is just the most recent fad in a long line of things that many Christians seem to be obsessed with that don't line up with Scripture.

We must consider all of our entertainment in light of God's Word. Everything that we are exposed to (books, movies, music, television, etc) influences us. Is that influence a godly influence or an ungodly influence? Does it encourage us to be more like Christ or does it create a desire in us for the things of this world?

We also have to look at the content: is it something that contradicts scripture or the life of a Christian? If so, then chances are, we have no business being involved with it.

Now, I like entertainment and fun as much as anyone else, but I have come to realize, that as a Christian, there are some forms of entertainment that is not edifying and I must not associate myself with it. Does that make me weird? Well, some folks may say so, but I can't worry about the reactions of others since I desire to please my King more than I desire to please man or my own selfish desires.

Sadly, I don't think most Christians consider their various means of entertainment as part of their walk, but it really is a huge part of it. Jesus told us that while we were in the world, we were not to be OF the world. As Christians, we are to set ourselves apart and be different. If we are just like the rest of the world, can we really reach a lost world? And, how can we reach the world if the Lord can't even reach us?

If we have read a book more times than we have read the Bible, then we need to look to where our true loyalty is. If we can get enjoyment from shows that blaspheme the name of Christ, then is He really our Lord? If we can sing songs that oppose the teaching found in the Scripture, then are we truly living for Christ?

Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Where does your treasure lie and what is your heart devoted to? Is your treasure to simply be entertained or is it to bring glory to God in all things?

*** Chad has a wonderful sermon on this topic as well: What's Wrong With the Family? Be sure to check it out :o)

Love,
Dana

The Miracle of Life

It is funny... no matter how many babies I've had (yes, it's six and my body is feeling every one of those right now, LOL), the mircle of it all never gets old.

Life truly is a miracle, and I cannot fathom how anyone could believe otherwise. It is so complex but yet so perfect. How could any of this be an accident? It can't, it can only be the hand of our Creator, our God.

I am now in my favorite part of pregnancy: movement. It is so wonderful and so reassuring to feel my sweet baby moving inside of my womb. I often like to close my eyes and just imagine what he/she is doing in there.

I also like to imagine what this baby is going to look like and what kind of personality it will have (they are ALL so different, even as babies!). Will this little one be another blue-eyed baby? Will it have Chad's cute little nose or my little ears with the unattached lobes (yes, I notice these things). Will this one love to sleep as much as me (haha!) or will it be a night owl?

Pregnancy is a time when it is fun to dream and imagine... and the really neat thing is that once the baby arrives, all of your dreams come true :o)

Life is a miracle, but it is also a blessing!

Words of Praise

I talk to so many wives who are discouraged about their marriage and their relationship with their husband. It really breaks my heart to see so many marriages that are not experiencing the blessing that the Lord intended marriage to be.

One of the easiest (and most often overlooked) ways that a wife can improve her marriage is to just simply praise her husband. You need to tell your husband every day how much you love, respect and appreciate him.

As much as we ladies love to talk and give complements, I wonder why, when it comes to our husbands, the words that are normally directed at them are complaints and nagging? Do you like to be around someone who is always critisizing you and nagging you about everything under the sun? No, you don't and your husband doesn't either.

Ladies, we cannot underestimate the power of our tongue. We can use our words to either tear down our husband or to build him up. Which one do you think will improve your marriage?

Never, ever, ever pass up the opportunity to praise your husband to his face AND behind his back *smile*. Yes, I know some of you are thinking that there isn't anything you can praise your husband for... but if you think about it, I am sure there is... after all, he must have been pretty smart to choose YOU for his wife *smile*.

Does your husband go to work to provide for the family? Tell him how blessed you are that he is such a wonderful provider!
Does your husband save you the last of the dark chocolate because he knows that it's your favorite? Tell him how thoughtful he is!
Does your husband keep your car maintained? Tell him how loved you feel that he is looking our for your safety!
Does your husband invite you to go Lowes with him? Tell him "Yes" and that you appreciate that he wants to spend time with you!

These are just a few examples, but if you look for opportunities each day to praise your husband, you will see them (sometimes you just need to train yourself to look for them).

After a bit of practice, praising your husband will just come naturally, and you will find yourself more in love with him than ever... and it will be because you have opened your eyes to his good qualities that were there all the time!

Have a blessed day,
Dana

Long Lost Blogger :o)

Wow, I cannot believe that I have not blogged in almost 3 months! Life has been crazy and my job as a wife and mother takes priority over my "fun internet time".

Well, the cat has been out of the bag since Valentines Day, so I will share it here too just in case you missed our annoucement on Facebook or in person *smile*. I am expecting our 6th child! Praise the Lord!!! We are so excited. I am 20 weeks and due on July 30, 2009. I had an ultrasound last week and everything looked great :o). I go back for my next ultrasound in a month, but it is only because of my high risk history.

I have had such an awesome peace during this pregnancy. I know that the Lord is in control of all things and I can simply rest in Him.

There have been so many blessings and so many Truths that the Lord has opened my eyes over the recent months, so hopefully I'll time to share more soon.

Blessings, Dana

Just for Fun...

This week, Chad introduced me to Tim Hawkins and we have had a wonderful time watching his video's together (and trying to breathe because they have made us laugh so hard).

One of our favorites is Cletus Take the Wheel... check it out and enjoy!