For the past many months the awesome, amazing, wonderful, Godly women I have the pleasure of being in a bible study with have been going through Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Although we have not agreed with everything she has said we have been challenged to not except the lies of this world and of Satan and to combat them with the undeniable Truth of God's Word. The study has been interesting and has made me question many of the things I do and say each day. Is going to school selfish and going against the will and leadership of my husband? How am I trusting God? Or do I just say it and not believe it one bit? What would happen if I lost Manny, would God really be enough for me? Why am I not more aware of my sin? Why do I allow certain circumstances to control me so much? Am I choosing to believe that God will meet all my needs or am I depending on myself and Manny? and so many more. As we come to the end of the book I realize that even if I didn't agree with some of the Ms. Nancy's points/examples/etc. this book has challenged me to the core and shaken the way I live. I know without the Truth of God's Word written on my heart I know nothing. Sure, I can "lie" my way through church, Christian-talk, etc but when it the dust settles if I do know know the Truth that is o-so-evident in every stinkin' page of my Bible I am nothing, I know nothing, and I am so easily deceived.

"We cannot assume a particular viewpoint is true just because everyone else thinks that way- or because it is what we have always believed, or because a well-known Christian author promotes that position, or because a well-meaning friend or counselor says its right. Everything we believe and everything we do must be evaluated in the light of God's Word. That is our only absolute authority."

"We must learn the Truth, believe it, surrender to it, and live it out- even when it flies in the face of our culture. Then we must proclaim the Truth with boldness, conviction, and compassion, seeking to turn sinners from the error of their way and to restore those who have wandered from the Truth."

More than any other time in my entire life, I desire to know God's Word, to have it written on my heart, fresh on my mind, and following from my tongue. I desire to change the way I live, talk, and even pray so that it more truly reflects who God is and what He wants in my life. The power of His Word is radically changing my life. I pray that never changes. I pray that I remember this book, remember my desperation for the Word of God, and remember that it is only through reading and know His Word that I will conquer the lies of the Enemy.

"The Word of God is alive and powerful; it is medicine for troubled hearts and peace for plagued minds. It is a lamp for our feet and a light for out path. Whatever our need, whatever our circumstances, the Word of God is sufficient to meet that need. And it is sufficient to meet the needs of those we love."

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free... If the son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:31-32, 36

2 Peter 3

verse 11-12: You out to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

This chapter speaks of the time when the Lord returns. Many people will question when it will be and how long it is/will take {already happening} but Peter says God is just being patient so that no one will perish but "everyone will come to repentance." Wow. Thank you God. He speaks of us preparing for the day by "making every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him," and to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

I know I don't think about such things everyday. Should I? Am I too comfortable living as part of this world? I think just asking the question answers it...

Lord, I pray that every day I make every effort to grow in who you are so that I may be ready for your return. I pray that I can be used as a tool in your goal of seeing everyone come to repentance. I pray that I never allow myself to be content here, that I always look forward to the new heaven and new earth that you have promised. Thank you for who you are and for your promise. Amen.

this week I've gotten sick. It doesn't happen very often so when it does it kind of overtakes me.ugh.

2 Peter 2 is about "False Teachers and Their Destruction" and man, is that destruction harsh.
verse 17-18 "Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and by appeaking to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error."
God knows what he is doing. He's got it all figured out. I pray that I found rest in that knowledge. I pray against these false teachers and that I will always be aware; that I may never fall into the trap of such a teacher.

[I have to blow my nose like every two seconds]

Lord, I come to you this morning with a heavy heart. Please be with Grandpa Huntley and Grandma Chris. You know what is happening, I do not. You know what will happen, I do not. I pray for strength and peace in their hearts right now; that they rely on only You. I pray for my momma that she would find rest in who you are and in all your promises. I'm at a loss for words God. Take this heart and make it new, make it true, make it like You. I put my life in Your hands. I pray my grandparents, my mom, and all those who are surrounding them can do the same.

2 Peter 1

verse 4: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

I find it so AWEsome that God gives us everything we need for success. He provides every avenue of holiness. He provides a way out of the evil and into the goodness of his promises. But how do we pursue those promises?

verse 5-8: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, godliness; and to godlines, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they wil keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wonder how often I have been ineffective and unproductive in my knowlege of Jesus...? Way to often!

Lord, I pray that every day I increase in goodness, knowledge, self-control, godliness, mutual affection [ok, don't really know what that means...], and love. I want to participate in Your divine nature! I want to always be effective and productive in my knowledge of who You are.

1 Peter 4 & 5

[Feeling a little frustrated with life today...]
4 verse 7- The end of all things is near you. Therefore be alert and of sober might so that you may pray.

just pray.

Peter talks a lot about suffering. yes, there are very small ways that I am suffering. but not because I am a Christian. I really can't even imagine that. I am so blessed with my community, this country, and my freedom.
my problems seems pretty small in comparison to someone living in the 1st century being persecuted.... yea, my problems seem pretty small...

God, I pray for clarity.

1 Peter 3 talks a lot about the character of a believer. Peter is describing the ways in which a believer should live, act, etc.

For wives, [that includes me!] I should be submissive, pure, reverent, beauty should come from within, gentle and quiet spirit, hope is in God; all of these things describe a holy woman.

Peter also calls us to be like-minded (with other believers), be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble, repay evil with blessing, and to be ready to answer questions about our faith with gentleness and respect.

Man, whoever said being a Christian was easy had no idea!
It is crazy to me that everyday I fail in one [or more!] of these characteristics. How often do I fail to submit to Manny, rarely am I gentle or quiet in spirit, pure-fail, reverent-rarely, humble-no, sympathetic-so often I judge first...

Lord, please keep these words, these characteristics on my heart so that I may be sickly aware of my sin and my need for a Savior. I long to be holy in your sight.

1 Peter 2

verse 4-8: As you come to him, the living Stone- rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him

will never be put to shame."

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

"The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,

and,

"A stone that causes people to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall."

They stumble because they disobey the message- which is also what they were destined for.

So it took me some time to figure this out. But these verses stood out to me. I wanted to figure out what Peter meant...

So Christ is the living Stone, with Him as the cornerstone- the foundation, we (the body of Christ) are stones adding and building to His temple. We are a part of the holy priesthood offering sacrifices of holiness and righteousness to God through Jesus Christ.

I want to be holy. I want to live a righteous life. Lord, I pray that I may build up your temple, your kingdom everyday.