Sunday Snippets: Just Zip It!

Proverbs 17:28 "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."

I was quoting this verse to myself today, when someone said something very ungracious to me. Sometimes it is one of the hardest things in the world to bite back a harsh or sarcastic response! But according to this passage, when someone simply shuts their mouth, (even a fool!), they are thought of as a wise person. Isn't that interesting? The Bible has so much to say about our speech; we need to be edifying to our fellow Christians, glorifying to God, and a testimony to the world around us with our words. However, there are definitely times when it is the wisest choice just to stop. Stop talking, and let God work in the situation instead of us.

What are some examples of when it's good to "zip it"? What about if you accidentally hear something that was not meant for your ears, or perhaps something very wrong? Don't repeat it! Or when gossip is spreading fast? Break the chain! What if your sibling or friend got into trouble of some kind, and just decided to vent their frustration on you with harsh, unkind words? That would be a time to be still, or to lift them up with your words if you do speak.

There are countless times every single day when we simply start to spout words, sometimes without even thinking a TINY BIT beforehand! Even if the conversation isn't wrong per se, how many times is it simply unnecessary, idle talk? Matthew 12:36 says, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." That is incredibly sobering. I know for me personally, I say so. many. things. that are totally "idle"--worthless, unnecessary words. 

I want to think about simply speaking less this week. When I do speak, I want my words to mean something, to be thought through and honoring to God. Let's all work on thinking more and talking less! :) Have a lovely week!
Mykaela

Boredom is Illegal!

Guest post by Kimberly Snyder

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today I am excited to present a guest post from a dear friend of mine, Kimberly. She is from Oklahoma (where the wind comes sweeping down the plain...;) Anyway, I am SUPER excited, because I get to go and visit her in August!!! We are counting down the days. In gumballs, no less. ;) I hope you enjoy her post; I found it very thought provoking. 

--------------------------

Boredom?! No!!

We must keep moving forward!!

When I have nothing else to do, Pinterest is my go-to. It's safe to say that my account has known love. But what about you? What's that thing you do when you've got plenty of free time on your hands?

Isn't just so easy and tempting to sit around twiddling your thumbs, browsing Pinterest for hours (or whatever it is that you do) claiming that you're out of tasks and now "bored".

Psshh.

You just haven't considered the tasks that you have been given that cannot be completed. That's right. There are some things commanded of us that are actually impossible to finish. So... the "bored" excuse has no validity. Ever.

Here are some ideas. Straight from my trusty KJV.

1. GO (ye into all the world)
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

If you're in a "gap year", "trying to figure out your next move", or just not sure what you want to do with your life, have you considered the Great Commission? (Which, by the way, is a command, not a suggestion.)

What I'm really saying, at the heart of my words, is that if Jesus is in your heart, serving Him should be the chief desire of your life. Not worrying about what you want to do with your life.

And, lucky you, some of the ways to make Him happiest are laid out in black and white.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, it would probably be a good idea to invest in a good Bible.

2. BE (the salt and the light)

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Whatever corner of the earth God has called you to be in during this season of your life is your platform. At home, serving your family, and living out the Great Commission in St. Lois, Missouri, or abroad teaching the orphans in Ghana. Either; or; any path in between. The platform you're on is the stage set for you to be the salt and light.

Just some interesting notes on 'salt' and 'light' that I've picked up over my many years of preaching-attending...

- Salt is seasoning
- Salt is also preserver
- Salt doesn't do much good in the shaker, however
- People don't really appreciate it when you reach over a salt their food for them. Be the salt. Be the bright and shining salt. And when people see your benefits, they'll pick you up.
- "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink", indeed, but if you give it a little bit of salt on the walk down, he'll be good a thirsty for that water once you reach it.
- Light is most notable when it's shining in an otherwise very dark place
- Darkness isn't anything in and of itself; darkness is only the absence of light

Hint: A lot of times 'salt' and 'light' work is confused as being hard, big, revolutionary tasks and services. But, most of the time, it's just doing the normal, run-of-the-mill, everyday, mundane work... but with a better attitude. A countenance that exuberates joy and contentedness. A light that points everyone around to Jesus.

3. LOVE (one another, as Christ loved us)

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Can you imagine that? Loving a wicked, vile nasty sinner (a murderer! a thief! a child molester!) enough to die and go to hell so they might have a chance at spending eternity in heaven?!

I mean, there's not even a guarantee there! It's not like all of the human race is going to heaven because of this. You're just giving them a chance to repent and be saved.

While I can imagine it (I've read my Bible a time or two), I cannot, personally, imagine mustering enough love up within myself towards an wretched, heathen stranger to die for them. Only for the chance that they might spend eternity at Jesus' feet. I just can't imagine that. Even though I once was the same.

That might make me a really heartless person. And I'm sorry. I do love you. Just not quite like Jesus did. That's my goal, though. The goal I'll never achieve. But something to work towards, nonetheless.

I try to remember, on this subject, that love is an action. Jesus did the ultimate action of proving that He loved us in that He was humbled to the state of a man, born of a woman, raised under human parents, worked in a carpentry shop, lived, died, and rose again from the dead on the third day.

What can I do to sacrifice myself, my own wants, my own desires, for those around me, family or no, friend or foe?

4. ASK (and it shall be given you)

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:14-15) (See also Matthew 7:7)

Ask for something to do. Go to God. Tell Him you're bored. He has work for you.

5. SEEK (and ye shall find)

...seek, and ye shall find... (Matthew 7:7b)

If you're really trying to find a way to help, or sacrifice self for someone else, you'll find it. You just will. There are too many hurting people out there for you to be actually without place to help. Just gotta seek.

6. Knock (and it shall be opened unto you)

...knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (Matthew 7:7c)

If you have a burden for a certain people, why is it impossible that God could have those people for you to serve and be a living example of Christ to? I see this too often in Christians that want to be involved in the fight against abortion, but don't know where to begin, and really are only interested in holding signs, and not in leading the event, or organizing the sign-holders.

Knock on that door.

7. PRAY (without ceasing)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Wow. That's another one I can't really imagine for myself. It's actually a conscious decision to pray. Even driving down the road, I have to think to myself, "I'm alone with God, I should pray." Am I the only one?

Without ceasing, though? Wow.

Well that's something to do while you're "bored", for sure and for certain.

8. GIVE THANKS (in every thing)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

In every thing. Every. Thing.

The storms?

The sea billows?

The failures?

The shortcomings?

Every thing, thus saith the LORD.

Can you count your blessings? Can you name them one by one?

I'd love to see that list!!

9. TRUST (in the LORD with all thine heart)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

It's going to be easier to log onto Pinterest than it is to open your Bible or fall to your knees in prayer.

The Devil is winning that battle because Pinterest isn't inherently bad. Pinterest, actually, is pretty great. We even have an entire board of Scripture! That's good, right?!

Well, yes.

But not as good as spending time with the LORD.

The Devil takes something mediocre, decent, good, even, and uses it to draw us away from what's best. We must also remember that even the best devotion books and guides aren't as good as the original Guide.

When times come when you're just, well, bored, for one, but maybe not really in the mood to read Leviticus (Believe me! I can relate!), it's going to take more than a smidgen of trust. Trust that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

One of my favorite Southern Gospel songs is 'God on The Mountain'. Those lines of verse 2 just sum it up so well:

We talk of Faith when we're up on the Mountain

But talk comes easy when life's at it's best

But in the Valley of trials and temptations,

That's when Faith is really put to the test.

Allow God to work your Faith. It's like a muscle- it grows weak when it's not exercised!

10. OBEY (your parents)

So, I'm an adult. Legally. By the standards our country has implemented. But I've read the Bible through and have never seen anything about obeying or honoring your parents until a certain date or age. Never! Not once! Can you believe that?!

It's a command. We are to:

• Obey our parents, in the Lord: for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)
• Obey our parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)
• Honor our fathers and mothers: that our days may be long upon the land which the LORD God giveth us. (Exodus 20:12- that's one of the famous 10 Commandments, and the first commandment with promise, as says Ephesians 6:2)

That last one might throw you for a curve, but it's especially important in adulthood, I'm learning. While obeying is doing what you're told or asked to do, honoring is sometimes doing something just because you know you should. Or, not doing something because you know you shouldn't. Because it would honor or dishonor your parents. Honoring is more than action- it's attitude. It's like integrity, doing what you know your parents would rather you do, even when they're not there to direct you.

These commands extend throughout our entire lifetimes, too! Not only does it go past the modern idea of "18 and free", but it extends, quite literally, until the day of your death. (If your parents die before you, it is still commanded of you to obey and honor them!)

11. VISIT (the fatherless and widows)

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction... (James 1:27a)

Here's a practical idea. Next time you're just bored to tears, visit an orphanage. Volunteer at a nursing home for a day or two. I'm sure almost every local church has at least a couple widows that you could call on, cook dinner for, clean a kitchen for, or sit and talk to.

An interesting note about this verse, too, is that it doesn't say 'orphans'. It says 'fatherless'. There are a lot of fatherless kids out there. So, if you can't locate an orphanage, I'm sure you know of some single moms that could really use a few hours of help or rest. Babysit. Cook a meal. Clean a room. Show the kids how to build a Lego fire station. Read a Bible story. Invite them to church, or, if you can, offer to pick them up (or just the kids) for church services.

Put feet on your love.

And that's not all...

There are so very many things the Bible tells us to do that we're, simply put, not doing.

I'm not trying to offend anyone. But I'm also not trying to sugar-coat the truth.

We (including myself) need to get busy. We need to follow all of these black and white commandments laid out in front of us. We need to think about all of the unfinished business the LORD has waiting on our desks, because, isn't His business greater than our own, after all?

We [I] need to cut back on Pinterest.

Even though it's my favorite.

God's work for me needs to be my favorite.

That's my goal.

What's yours?

Kimberly

*All Scripture references are taken from the King James Version; words in red indicate quotes of Jesus.

---------------------

Thank you so much, Kimberly, for taking the time to write a post! I wholeheartedly agree...this world is much too incredible, and God has given us way too much to do for us to EVER use the pathetic and feeble phrase, "I'm bored." Let's get out there and work 'til Jesus comes! :)

Mykaela

P.S. Be sure to check out Kimberly's Blog if you want encouraging posts on living boldly for Christ! :)

Sunday Snippets: The Dazzling Heavens

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

Well, contrary to my statements in last week's post, I was not able to do either a guest post or a personal one during the week. ;) I do apologize for that. On either Wednesday or Thursday there is going to be a very special guest post, however! :) I'm really looking forward to putting in on here, and I think all of you will like it as well.

For my topic today, I chose something that I find so fascinating: the vast expanse of space and the beauty that fills it. As I was researching for this post, I found out some incredibly cool stuff about stars:

• Every star that you see in the night sky is bigger and brighter than our sun.
• On a clear night, you are able to see 20 quadrillion miles, at least. (I'm going to say this the next time someone asks me how my eyesight is. ;)
• There is a "hyper-giant" star named Pistol that shines ten billion times brighter than our sun. Wow. It emits such massive amounts of radiation that even if humans could travel to it, life could not be sustained in any place even close to it.
• Galaxies often collide with each other. Due to the vast space between the stars within them, the stars themselves don't usually crash. However, the gas clouds and dust will, forming even more new stars.
• There are around 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone. 
• How many galaxies are there? No one is exactly sure except the One who created them. However, scientist have estimated that there are potentially more than one hundred and sixty billion galaxies. So we're talking billions of trillions of stars in the observable universe.

So now that you've been overwhelmed with all of these mind blowing facts, lets look at the place in the Bible where it talks about God creating the stars. Here we go...Genesis 1:16c "...He made the stars also." That's it. He made the stars also?? I mean, that almost just sounds like it's thrown in as an afterthought--oh yeah, by the way He also made those billions of trillions of inconceivably massive and innumerable celestial beings too. That to me says something of the absolute power and authority that God has. He knows each of those stars by name, and holds them in their exact positions in the sky. They are so regular and precise, that we can predict their patterns for hundreds of years into the future. 

All of this makes me feel pretty insignificantly tiny! As the Psalmist considered these things, he felt like that as well. And he asked the question, what is man? According to God's Word, man is the crowning glory of the creation! Not the stars or the sun, or the trees or oceans or animals, but man. Mankind is the only creation that Jesus Christ came to die for! The only part of this vast creation that God made in His own image. That is...incredible! 

As we look up at the stars this week, let's take time to thank God for considering us--tiny, microscopic specks in the scheme of the universe--and loving us enough to send His precious Son for our salvation. What a mighty God we serve!
Mykaela

Sunday Snippets: Real or Fake friends?

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

First off, I want to say I'm sorry I haven't been posting really anything except Sunday Snippets lately. We've been in the very busy, rather chaotic period of gradually moving into our new house. ;) I haven't had much time for doing blog stuff. Anyway, hopefully there will be one or two guest posts soon, as well as my personal testimony of salvation at some point. Stay tuned. :)

To return to the point; today I was thinking a lot about the power of friends, both good and bad. I personally know multiple people who have walked away from the will of God completely, due almost entirely to the influence of their friends. Others have been pulled back from the brink of spiritual danger because a friend took the time and effort to pray for them and be an encouragement. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 it says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." In the verse at the head of this post, it says that friends can "sharpen" each other spiritually. God's Word is very clear on the fact that our friends influence us greatly! That being the case, I'd say it is pretty important to choose your friends wisely, don't you think?

So if it's this important to have friends that will lift you up, rather than drag you down spiritually, what are some ways that we can tell the bad friends from the good ones? Some people can be pretty good pretenders, after all! Here are a few things that, from my experience, are vital to watch for in a potential friend.

• Does this person talk down about the authorities in their life? This is a really bad sign. If someone can't respect the leadership God has placed over them, how then can they follow God, the ultimate authority?
• Do they consistently push boundaries? Are they always trying to get a little more of what they want, even when there's already been guidelines set up?
• Do they speak negatively and/or inappropriately? BIG red flag here! Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45) If there's trash coming out of someone's mouth, it means there's trash in their heart.
• Do they encourage you towards Godly thoughts and actions, or away from them? This is the biggest question of all. When you come away from a conversation with this person, do you feel uplifted spiritually? Or does it feel more like you've just been hanging out with a non-Christian?

This is not an all-inclusive list, but I hope it encourages you to think carefully about who you choose to be close friends with. Please understand, we need to show Christ's love to those around us, regardless. I'm not saying we should totally shun everyone who is not living according to God's Word. Of course not! :) However, there should be a distinct difference in who we as God's children spend the majority of our time with. If we surround ourselves with those who care nothing about serving Him with their whole hearts, our entire lives will be affected by that mindset. Let's hold onto the Godly friends we've been blessed with!! Also one last thing: if you want to BE a true friend? Apply this list to your own life. :)
Mykaela

Sunday Snippets: Win, win, win

Sunday Snippets
Win, win, win

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

There is a man named Mark Cahill, whose main goal in life is to share his faith in Christ, and to encourage Christians of today to do the same. If I ever need to be convicted about passionate witnessing, all I need to do is watch a video of his online, or read one of his books! Today I want to share with you one thing he talks about a lot, that has really been an encouragement to me.

First of all, let me give you some scenarios. One day, you're out door knocking with your church, and end up sharing Christ with someone on their doorstep. This person is under obvious conviction as you tell them the bad news of sin and it's consequences, then the incredible news of what Jesus did to remedy it. Then and there, they pray God for His forgiveness and mercy, and accept His redemption. WOW!! What an amazing blessing!

Scenario 2: A person opens the door, and merely glares at you as you start to talk, then slams the door in your face. Hmm. Not a good response, right?

The last scenario is one that usually wouldn't happen in our country necessarily, but is certainly possible. You try to share the Gospel with someone, and they kill you for your faith. Well, that would be the worst response of all, wouldn't it?

What if I were to tell you that each of these responses is equally wonderful? Yep. All of them. Win, win, win. Think about it with me for a minute; response one is good...they got saved and are on their way to heaven because of you! Amen! Response two? You obeyed God's mandate by sharing your faith. You have a responsibility to witness, not to accept Christ for the person! Your obedience is not changed by the fact that they didn't respond the way you may have hoped. Your reward is in heaven! And the third response is honestly the best one of all. What greater way to be sent into the Saviour's presence than while you are directly obeying Him by faith? God has promised a special, magnificent reward for those who die for the cause of Christ. Death is merely a doorway to a glorious eternity with the One who set us free!

As you share your faith this week, be not weary in well doing. Whether you are gladly welcomed or flatly rejected, it's ALWAYS a win, win if you are trusting God and obeying His Word! :)
Mykaela

"Never let your fear of man trump your love for God."

-Mark Cahill

Sunday Snippets: Our Only Safety

Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

When I was younger, I used to deal with a lot of fear at night. I wasn't afraid of the dark, or of someone breaking in during the night, or of monsters under my bed...I was terrified that the house would burn down. Now while this is a legitimate thing that could possibly happen, I took this fear to an extreme. I would lie awake in terror for the longest time, nearly every night! Even after I came to know The Lord, and no longer feared death and what came after, fire still terrified me. To this day, I still sometimes struggle with it. However, one day I finally realized that this abject fear was actually sin! In Philippians 4:6 it says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Being "careful" means to be full of care over something. I was letting this care rule my life! 

My grandma once said something I've never forgotten..."We are invincible until God is done with us on earth." If we are striving to serve God and stay in His will, our protection and safety is in Him alone. He is the Everlasting Father, and no one can pluck you out of His hand! Nothing, I repeat: nothing can happen to you unless God allows it. In which case, He will sustain you through it. This concept quite honestly changed my life. When I stopped being constantly afraid, there was a LOT more room for joy in my heart! :) Notice the verse that comes after Philippians 4:6 that I quoted earlier. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." When we are careful for nothing, but cast our cares on Him (1 Pet. 5:7), His peace will fill our hearts, casting out fear. Praise God for His loving protection of His children!
Mykaela

Sunday Snippets: Rahab, Woman of Faith

Hebrews 11:31 "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."

I hesitate to start writing about Rahab, because her story is honestly almost my favorite in The Bible, and I don't know if I'll be able to stop once I begin. The first thing that amazes me about her is that she believed in God when she knew almost nothing about Him. Literally, all that she knew about God, (as far as we know), was that He had parted the Red Sea, and that He had helped the Israelites to defeat the great kings Sihon and Og. That's it. I mean, yes those are incredible things that God did, but to turn to a foreign God with her whole heart, when she had only heard a few stories about Him through word-of-mouth? That is some unbelievable faith.

Secondly, she didn't just believe God and then do nothing...she acted out her new found faith by risking her very life to shelter the spies from Israel. As of yet, Israel had done nothing for her except arrive in the land and threaten to destroy her city. And yet, Rahab trusted that God knew what He was doing, and that in His mercy, He could rescue her and her family from destruction. She humbly asked the spies to make her a promise: whoever was in her house with her at the time Jericho was overthrown, would be saved. As a sign, she kept the scarlet rope hanging in the window. We know the story...when the walls of Jericho came down, only Rahab and those with her escaped with their lives. 

One of the biggest things I love about this story, though, is what happened after that. Rahab could have simply been glad to have survived, hung around Jericho, perhaps started to rebuild her life, but no. She chose to join herself to the people who had, from afar, introduced her to the God she now served. Do you realize how difficult it must have been for her, those first few months or even years? She knew nothing of Israelite customs, laws, or beliefs, except the core faith in the One True God. She was an outsider, and not only that, she was a harlot. In essence, she was the epitome of what the Israelites would have turned away from in disgust. And yet, through God's grace, she did not let her past life define her! Though there were still consequences from it, she did not let that stop her from being used of God. Rahab eventually married an Israelite leader named Salmon. They had a son named Boaz, who married Ruth and had Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David. So from Rahab's great-great-grandson came the line that went down through the generations, preserved by God, to Jesus, the Saviour of the world. I can guarantee you, if you had asked anyone in Israel if a woman like Rahab could be used of God to bring the Messiah to earth, they would have laughed at you. And yet, her legacy of unwavering faith still lives today! Wow. I thank God for the incredible example of Rahab, and I pray that I will be as filled with faith in God as she was!
Mykaela
P.S. For those of you who enjoy reading, there is a book about Rahab called "Pearl in the Sand" by Tessa Afshar. I HIGHLY recommend it!! Obviously we know only little about her life, but Ms. Afshar did an amazing job of speculating without going out of the confines of what COULD have happened. :)