The Unsaved Christian by Lysa TerKeurst

JOHN 3:16-17:
 "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON,THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD,
BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM." (NIV)

The Unsaved Christian

April 17, 2014 
The Unsaved Christian 
by Lysa TerKeurst

 www.Proverbs31.org

"'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'" Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)

God wants us to have a relationship with Him. But what does this really mean?A few years ago, I met a woman at a conference where I was speaking. I didn't know many details about her life, but I did learn she'd been going to church for a long time.And she'd been serving, giving and doing all the right church stuff.But something was missing."I never could quite put my finger on it until I heard your message," she whispered. "I never knew what it really meant to have a relationship with Jesus. But hearing you explain it, something clicked. I walked forward today. I gave my heart to Jesus."I wondered, What part of that day caused the profound click in her soul?Of course, it was the Holy Spirit moving ... somehow in the midst of my sharing the broken places of my life, things came together in hers.It got me thinking about us doing life together here through this daily devotion. Each day, we spend a few minutes together over the Internet learning how to navigate life as Jesus' girls. But all that talk is for nothing if our hearts stay far away from Jesus.It's not about momentary motivation to make it through today.It's not about spiffy quotes to ponder and put into practice.It's not about relationship tactics and turnkey solutions.It's not about bite-size pieces of peace to make life a little more manageable.It's not about making our lives look and feel a little better.It has to be about Jesus. And drawing our hearts into His reality. His grace. His love. His hope. His forgiveness. And most of all, the free gift of salvation because of Him.

Have you ever felt like you couldn't put your finger on what was missing? Maybe you bounce from one religious activity to the next, but your heart feels far from God? Oh, sweet sister, can we chat?God doesn't want us to have a religion. A religion is where we follow rules hoping to do life right, and serve God out of duty because we think we have to.God wants us to have a relationship. A relationship where we follow Him. A relationship where we serve God not out of duty, but out of delight because we've realized who we are in Him. A relationship where our obedience is born out of love. For years, I went to church to get a little "God goodness" in my life. But it was like putting fresh paint on rotting wood. I was living just like those talked about in Matthew 15:8-9, "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'"I realized I didn't need to be just following the rules ... I needed to be following Jesus. God Himself.I didn't need a little "God goodness" to rub off on me ... I needed God to invade the deepest parts in me.So, I knelt down in the midst of my messy, chaotic, confused life and started a relationship with Him by simply saying, "Yes."Yes, I am a sinner in need of a Savior.Yes, I acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God, sent to die on a cross and resurrected on the third day to save me from my sins.Yes, I want Jesus to be the Lord and Master of my life.Yes, I am now and forever will be a forgiven and saved child of the Almighty God.Yes, I will follow Jesus today, tomorrow and every other day I'm blessed with life on this earth. Let me quiet the voice of Satan screaming to resist this process. He wants to trip us up by whispering how we won't be able to live this out perfectly. Jesus has never ever asked us to be perfect. He simply wants us perfectly surrendered. I often pray, "Oh Jesus, I am such a mess, but I am Yours. Show me ... help me ... forgive me ... reassure me ... and pour Your tender mercy upon me." And He does. And He always will. My imperfections are safely resting in the reality of His perfection. And I simply press on by continuing to say yes moment by imperfect moment ... day by imperfect day. 

Dear Lord, I am such a mess, but I am Yours. Show me ... help me ... forgive me ... reassure me ... and pour Your tender mercy upon me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

In this devotion, Lysa said, "So, I knelt down in the midst of my messy, chaotic, confused life and started a relationship with Him by simply saying, 'Yes.'"

Think of simple ways you can say yes to God today. How would that look? What would change in how you live your life?

Power Verse:

Psalm 53:2, "God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." (NIV)

Related Resources:

Learn more about strengthening your relationship with God and living a life of radical obedience with Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. 

Receive encouragement from Lysa right in your e-mail inbox throughout the week! Subscribe to her blog by clicking here. www.Proverbs31.org

© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

630 Team Rd., Suite 100

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

“Lie Down” By Cindy Hess Kasper (Our Daily Bread)

Today I'm sharing something that really ministered to my heart & encouraged my heart. My hubby & I are going through alot of health issues during this season in our lives & our plates have been full & our lives have been crazy latley. We have been go, go , go busy, busy, busy with numerous Drs appts so we are under alot of stress emotionally, mentally & physically & some days we can barely catch our breaths. But in the midst of all this chaos I can feel the Lords presence very strongly & near & He has filled my heart & mind with His supernatural peace that He is in control & won't give us more than we can handle & whatever He brings us to he will get us through. I pray that this devotional encourages all of you my beloved precious friends, family & followers who read my blog. WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US!!! (PHILIPPIANS 4:13) 

You can visit the website below to download the encouraging desktop wallpaper pic & to  read more encouraging devotionals by Roy Lessin on His blog page meet Me In The Meadow
http://www.meetmeinthemeadow.com

www.odb.org
“Lie Down” By Cindy Hess Kasper (Our Daily Bread)

Read  Exodus 20:8-11

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. —Psalm 23:2-3

Our golden retriever can get so overly excited that he will go into a seizure. To prevent that from happening, we try to calm him. We stroke him, speak to him in a soothing voice, and tell him to lie down. But when he hears “lie down,” he avoids eye contact with us and starts complaining. Finally, with a dramatic sigh of resignation, he gives in and plops to the floor.

Sometimes we too need to be reminded to lie down. In Psalm 23, we learn that our Good Shepherd makes us “lie down in green pastures” and leads us “beside the still waters.” He knows that we need the calm and rest that these provide, even when we don’t realize it ourselves.

Our bodies are designed to have regular rest. God Himself rested on the seventh day after His work of creation (Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 20:9-11). Jesus knew there was a time to minister to the crowds and a time to rest. He instructed His disciples to “come aside . . . and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). When we rest, we refocus and are refreshed. When we are filling every hour with activity—even with worthwhile things—God often gets our attention by making us “lie down.”

Rest is a gift—a good gift from our Creator who knows exactly what we need. Praise Him that He sometimes makes us “lie down in green pastures.” —Cindy Hess Kasper

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your
care for our well-being in every area
of our lives. Help us to be rested
and refreshed in You.

If we don’t come apart and rest awhile, we may just plain come apart! —Havner

Bible in a year: Numbers 12-14; Mark 5:21-43

Insight

The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue (Greek, meaning “ten words”), are 10 laws given by God as guidelines for daily living. The first four commandments (Ex. 20:1-11) place the worship of God as primary for His people. The first commandment (v.3) calls us to worship God alone. He is the only one we are to serve. The second (vv.4-5) urges us to worship God appropriately and correctly, for God doesn’t tolerate idolatry of any kind. The third commandment (v.7) directs us to worship God sincerely and reverently. Our actions and attitudes must not dishonor Him. The fourth commandment (vv.8-11) lays out the frequency, regularity, and consistency of our worship. We are to set aside one day each week for worship.

OVERLOAD, A LIFE OF INFLUENCE & SETTING PRIORITIES

{From the Devotional Book : Devotions For Women}

Walking with GOD in the Quiet Places

{EMILIE BARNES}

OVERLOAD 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and

he will make your paths straight.

PROVERBS 3:6 NIV

Do you have the type of home where nothing seems to get done? Where each room would take a bulldozer just to clean up the mess? You rush around all day never completing any one job, or if you do complete a task, there is a little one behind you, pulling and messing everything up again! There isn't one of us who hasn't experienced these feelings.

When I was 20, our baby daughter Jennifer was six months old. We then took in my brother's three children and within a few months I became pregnant. That gave Bob and me five children under five years old. My life was work,work,work- and yet I never seemed to get anywhere. I was running on a treadmill that never stopped and never moved ahead. I was always tired and never seemed to get enough done, let alone get enough sleep. I was fragmented, totally confused, and stressed.

Then one day during my rushed quiet time with the Lord I read 

Proverbs 3:6:"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." 

I fell to my knees and prayed "Please, God, direct my path. I acknowledge You to help me, Lord. I want Your power and direction. Lord, I'm tired. I'm on overload with husband, home, children and meals. I have no time left over for me or anyone else. I can't even do any of us justice. Please help me to put it all together and make it work to glorify You and Your children. Amen.

The Lord not only heard my prayer that day, but He honored it as well. I began  a program that changed my life. I committed 15 minutes (at least) per day to my quiet time with the Lord. With baby Brad in hand, I got up earlier each morning. The house was quiet, and my Lord and I talked as I read His Word and prayed. 

Next I committed 15 minutes each day to the organization of our home, concentrating on things I never seemed to get done: the silverware drawer,refrigerator, hall closets, photos, bookshelves, piles of papers. I committed to this for 30 days and the pattern was set. God was directing my path. Our home changed dramatically. The cloud of homemaking stress lifted, and I had a new direction. The Lord redeemed my time with Him. I had more time to plan meals, make new recipes, play with the children, take walks to the park, even catch a nap from time to time.

Looking back now as a grandparent, I can truly understand the meaning of acknowledging Him in all my ways.

It's looking to God for help and comfort in all the ways of our life- our families, home, finances, commitments, and careers. God gives us a promise. "I will direct your paths."

Father God, sometimes I feel my life is truly on overload. There are days I am confused, frustrated, and misdirected. I come to you on my knees, seeking Your undying patience and the hope You so graciously give. I ask for Your direction in my life. Make order out of disorder. Thank You! Amen.

                                

   {Julie Clinton}

 A Life of Influence

In everything set them an example

 by doing what is good.

TITUS 2:7 NIV

You will influence other people today. What message will they get from you? Better yet, how will they describe you after today?

Whether we realize it or not, we influence other people's lives. Sometimes we intentionally choose to influence others, but other times we are completely unaware of our impact. 

The influence of both our good and our bad gestures and words is immeasurable. Perhaps God intended it that way to keep us humble. Often, the people we touch don't realize the effect we had until years later. But what matters most is that we are willing to make every day count by investing in the life of another human being. Make a plan to increase your influence in the lives you can realistically touch. Your investment in other people is the only thing that will outlast you.

You are the hands & feet of Christ, and others are influenced in their own walk with Him by watching you live out yours. To live in a way that lifts up Jesus and honors God is a mighty calling, but it's something we must do every day.

What message are you sending to the girl behind the counter at the supermarket? To your children? To your Coworkers? The question isn't whether you are making a difference. That's a given. The question is, what kind of difference are you making? 

Use my life, Lord, as an example of Your love. Use my hands to show your kindness. Use my tongue to speak praise. use my mouth to spread joy & laughter. Let all that I am help others to experience Your love. Amen

FEELING LOVED & BLESSED CELEBRATING MY 19TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 12-6-13

This pic is how we have celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary so far today. We found these beautiful Anniversary cards for each other at the Dollar Tree I made breakfast for my man before he left for work & made some cookies to share with him later when he gets home. We are low on funds, the medical bills are high, my man had to go to work and is still there & pretty much we just have the love in our hearts to give to each other for our anniversary. So I talked to the Lord today & got creative for our anniversary. I wanted to share my conversation with the Lord as maybe there are others out there that are in the same circumstances & are bummed they don't have finances to treat or spoil each other for their wedding anniversary etc or they are going through a season of illness. I asked the Lord how I could bless my man today today as he does so much for me 24/7 on top of working full time, handling our bills, paying our bills & handling all the domestic stuff around the house & and keeping up on the outside of the house as well due to 95% of the time just basic physical functioning is a struggle for me. The Lord said today you are having a good day & your hands are functioning pretty well, make him breakfast as he usually always does & wants to make his own & I said Lord I usually bake him banana bread every year when I can as it is his favorite but I have nothing to make for him and the Lord said don't fret you have a frozen tub of cookie dough that your daughter bought some weeks back & she won't mind if you bake those. So I said ok Lord but Lord he is often hungry late at night when he comes home and I can't eat a meal that late due to health issues and the Lord said well ask him when he calls to check on you and I said Lord I really don't have anything extravagant to make for him and because of my disabilities it is difficult for me especially at that time of night sometimes to function and I want to make him something special for dinner. The Lord said just ask him if he wants you to prepare something for him and leave the rest up to me. He called a few minutes later & when I asked him if he wanted me to make him dinner, I heard a smile in his voice when he said you can make my favorite Hamburger Helper if you want to & I can just heat it up when I get home. After we hung up I searched the cupboards & low & behold there way in the back of the pantry cabinet was 1 box of his favorite Hamburger Helper. I smiled and said Thank you Lord. The Lord said he loves you and he knows and understands how difficult it is for you to prepare food just for yourself most days or just to function and your desire to show your love by acts of service for him to bless him and show him you are thinking about him blesses his heart and makes him feel loved and appreciated and the fact that you push through all that you go through in your body on a day to day basis to try and carry and ease his load speaks volumes of how deeply and how much you love him especially when you know he doesn't expect you to cuz he understands that most of the time you don't feel good. But my child you show your love for him in sooo many other ways that you don't realize and he knows that it blesses you when he lets you push through and do these acts of service for him when you can, that it gives you independence that you don't have everyday and he knows that is a precious gift to you that is priceless and that you are grateful and blessed for those times that you can do them. Allowing you to be independent when you can is his gift to you. I said thank you Abba you just always know what I need and you always provide and you know my heart and you have given me a man that doesn't expect me to be perfect or super woman all he wants is all the love my heart can give him, someone to grow old with and be his best friend til death do us part. You have given us the best gift in each other Lord. Thank you Lord <3 :) (Feeling loved & blessed) <3 :)

I'M THANKFUL!!!

I'm thankful for: I'm sooooo thankful & grateful that our son Josh survived this car accident on 3-25-13 when his car went off the top level of a 3 tier spaghetti bowl freeway & that he is alive today!! I'm thankful that he not only survived but that he is not paralyzed from head to toe, nor suffered any brain damage or any limbs severed or internal damage to his organs. He did suffer a fractured neck & had to have surgery on his right ankle as it was shattered.Our son has made a miraculous recovery & I know that God is the one who saved his life by catching his car & cradling it into His arms & holding Josh while help was on the way to get him out & is responsible for his speedy recovery. He was back to work I believe within 3 to 4 mos of the accident neck brace crutches & all. I'm sooo proud of our son for hanging in there during his recovery time on those dark days & nights when depression & oppression tried to attack him. I'm also sooo thankful to his amazing GF Allison & her mother that were his caregivers & to all his friends & room mates who have watched over him & helped him during his recovery as Josh lives in California & we couldn't be there daily. & I'm thnakful to all our family & friends & Josh's that have all prayed for him. Words can't begin to even express our gratefulness to each & everyone of you!!! !!!! XO!! The bottom center pic in this collage I made is our beloved son & his Gf Allison taken this past August 2013 around the 17th when they drove here to Bullhead to visit with us just 5 mos after Josh's accident. AND I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT 100% THAT THIS KIND OF MIRACLE ONLY COMES BY THE HAND OF GOD!!! So I'm most thankful to the Lord for hearing our prayers spoken & the ones we didn't know how to speak then. When I look at these pics, they inspire me, encourage me to never give up to keep persevering & reminds me that all things are possible with God. Because of this accident we have become even closer as a family. This year has been a rough year for Me & my family, we have been hit hard regarding our health, we lost loved ones & close friends young & older as did our kids right before this accident occurred & I will never know all the answers or why God allows certain things or seems to our flesh to only answer some prayers for some people but I do know & believe that he always does what is best for everybody even though we don't understand it with our human minds or it seems unfair or hurts deeply. I don't always understand His will but I know he won't give us more than we can handle even though we may not agree with Him as I HAVE LIVED THROUGH MANY SITUATIONS THAT I thought I would die or just couldn't possibly deal with the situation when my faith was just as big as a mustard seed & I see now that even before I had a strong faith in the Lord as I reflect on many miracles he has personally done for me & that I have witnessed with my own eyes I can't deny him or turn my back on him cuz I feel his presence so strong so I know He is with me & through the storms of life I do not walk alone. (Psalm 50:15: Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me)