"Lay Aside Every Weight and Sin"

I know Breanna has been doing posts on "Running Your Race," so Breanna, I promise not to steal your thunder:) I just have one thought from Hebrews 12 that I'd like to share.

Our youth leader had his last Sunday at our church a couple weeks ago, and Hebrews 12 was the passage he read to us as a last thought. The phrase about laying aside every weight and sin really caught my attention. I'll put an excerpt from Hebrews 12 here so that you can read it in context.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (verses 1 and 2)

This passage just really encouraged me to do away with everything that hinders me and serve God completely. "If your right hand leads you into sin, cut it off." If there is something weighing you down, or a sin that is hindering you from accomplishing God's will, get rid of it!!! If there is a person that you can't be around without sinning, stop talking to them! The only thing that really counts is glorifying God and accomplishing His will, so don't let anything keep you from doing that!!!

True Freedom

Freedom:
1.the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint. (*)

Because Christ has forgiven us, we are free, right? But what are we free from? Many people would interpret these definitions in light of what Christ has done for us to say that we are freed from Christ, by Christ. While it is true that through Christ's death we are saved from the wrath of God, that does not mean that we can do whatever we want. People would say that because we are free, we do not have to worry about sin. We are not condemned, so we can do whatever we want. That is not what Christ meant at all. He meant that in being freed, we can make our decisions without having to worry about being defeated by sin. We are free to "determine action without the restraint" of sin.
I have never really had the mindset that I can do whatever I want, but I have struggled with knowing that I can overcome sin. When Christ's blood was shed, He defeated every single sin we would ever have to face. Remember, Christ lived life here on earth and was fully God and fully man. He knows exactly what it feels like to go through your pain, sadness, etc. The only difference is, He went through every bit of it without ever sinning.
So, the next time you are struggling with sin, remember these things: 1)Sin is a big deal; do not just think of it casually. 2)Christ has freed us from having to sin, and He knows what it feels like to be tempted. 3)Look to Him, the author and perfecter or our faith, to help you deal with Your sin.

For discussion:
Lies Young Women Believe says, "Remember: True freedom is found in a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ."(**)

In what ways do you think that having a relationship with Christ is freeing?

References:
*Dictionary.com
**Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free, by Nancy Lee Demoss and Dannah Gresh. Page 198

Proverbs 25:11 ~ Apples of Gold

Proverbs 25:11~A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

I came across this verse as I was reading my Bible the other day. It really made me think. Do my words usually hurt others or build them up? Sadly, lots of times, the answer is the former. While I don't usually say unkind things about others to their face, I am very bad at gossiping. I found this quote in a devotional in one of my Bibles: "If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary's love." (Amy Carmichael) That quote really hit me. Not only should I not talk unkindly about others, I shouldn't think any unkind thoughts about them either!

I really liked this verse because it told me something helpful about kind words. They are like apples of gold. But, these words must be fitly spoken. They must help others and build them up. This really made me want to have the words that I say called "apples of gold." I will be praying that God will help me to speak "apples of gold." I hope that this post encourages you to do the same!

Judging Others

I was cleaning out one of my notebooks a couple days ago and found something I thought I would share with you. These next few points are about judging others. I hope this encourages you!:) Have a great day!!!

Matthew 7:1-3

• vs. 1 ~ "Judge not"- don't judge people by anything. "That you be not judged" - No one wants people to judge them, do don't want to be judged.


• vs. 2 ~ "For with the judgement you pronounced you will be judged" - by judging someone you are basically saying 'Judge me'...don't judge others.


• vs. 3 ~ "Why do you see the speck that is in you brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" - don't point out other people's problems when you have the same problems, you're not perfect.

Our Speech: A Challenge

Hi Everyone!! Breanna and I would like to put a challenge out there for all of y'all (and us). We have heard a lot about gossip lately and know just how hurtful it can be. We were thinking that we should have a challenge not to gossip for a week (we really should work up to not gossiping at all, but nobody's perfect and I'm not even sure if I can go a whole week). This is something that we need to ask God to help us with; we can't do anything on our own. I will be praying this week that God will help me to not gossip. If you slip up, that's OK! As I said before, nobody's perfect. Just keep asking God to help you not to, and eventually, it will become a habit.
A lot of the time, the reason we gossip is because of peer pressure. Even if we were resolved not to in the beginning, our friends will start and then we get pulled into it. They say something about someone, and we can't resist sharing that juicy tidbit of information we know about that person. A good way to test whether you're gossiping or not is to ask yourself if you'd say what you're saying about that person, to them. If you would, you're fine! If you wouldn't, you need to not say it. A verse that has really impacted my life is Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. This verse was a great revelation for me, because even though I knew not to gossip, this kind of explained why. What we say should edify, or build up the people we are talking to and about.
I found that this post was very easy for me to write, because this is something that I have really struggled with, and therefore heard a lot about. I feel like this is a very important issue, because we could be spending our time doing and saying much better things than gossiping. I hope this post really encourages you and helps you! Breanna and I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject and how you did with the challenge!! We'll post in a week to share our experiences with you!!