Discontentment

The Golden Secret - Psalm 16

11:00 AM


 Psalm 16, Acts 2:25-34

The internet is a double edged sword. The convenience of having information from around the world available at our fingertips is a wonderful thing. Yet it also brings with it with social media. A place to stay connected with friends and families. But also a place filled with the worst society has to offer. Satan’s playground, social media is often used to divide, silence, defeat, hurt, falsely inflate, and discourage.


I’m the first to admit when social media came on the scene, I jumped in with both feet. I loved being able to get a peek inside the lives of friends, celebrities, and leaders. But then something changed inside of me. Because when I started my own social media pages, it became about keeping up with the Joneses. Getting likes, comments, and affirmations took precedence. And when I didn’t get the response I wanted, I began to feel less than, not good enough, and discontented. And worst of all, I was ungrateful to God.


Life isn’t about popularity, wealth, fame, or accomplishments. And living a life whose happiness depends on impressing others is one destined for failure. Instead, life is all about God. Everything we are, our value, strength, purpose, and abilities all come from the Lord alone. Apart from Him, there is nothing good in us to brag about, nor any deed done outside His will that doesn’t turn to ashes. And it’s only when we have that kind of humility, knowing it’s not us, but God, can we, like David, can find true happiness and contentment. 


I promise you that on the day we stand before the Lord, He isn’t going to ask us about who we impressed or how many followers we had. Rather, He’s going to ask us how we followed Him. Each of us are His precious child. And He offers a beautiful heritage that no one can take away. One filled with the glory of His love, riches, and life eternal. That’s the golden secret! Not what we have or don’t have, or who likes us or doesn’t. But the joy and contentment of knowing who we are in Christ. God’s approval is all we need, and He calls us His own. And because of that, “my heart is glad and my glory rejoices.” (Ps. 16:9)


Pause and Reflect -

How many hours a day do you spend on social media? What happens when you can’t get on the Internet? Are you panicked and have a fear of missing out? How do you think your life would change if instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media pages you intentionally scrolled through the pages of the Bible? 


Where do you find your self worth? Can one person’s comment ruin your entire day? Is the divine validation we receive from God enough, or do you need the world’s to feel valued? 


Finally, let’s pray together,

Our dearest Father in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Father we pray that You would unlock our hearts so we can know our true identity in You. Give us clear revelation to see ourselves the way You see us. Help us to stand in Your truth against all enemy attacks and guard our hearts with all vigilance. Teach us to hear Your voice and not believe the Enemy’s destructive lies about who we are. Father we thank You for our uniqueness and that we are made in Your image. We know that there is nothing good in us. Yet from Your great love Father, You gave us goodness beyond compare by sending Your Son to give us eternal life. We are now heirs to Your kingdom, and called Your beloved. So with hearts of joy and thankfulness, may we do all things Father for Your glory alone! In Jesus precious name we pray….Amen 


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💕 Lisa

Bough

You Were Bought With a Price {1 Corinthians 6}

10:00 AM

Today's Passage: 1 Corinthians 6

 Are you a rebel by nature? At times perhaps? After all, it's your life and you're going to live it to the best of your ability. 
Do you grumble and complain when things don't go your way? 

 Or, are you just the opposite? You think so little of yourself you don't feel you're worth anything at all. How can anyone like you, let alone love you? You're grateful for just the scrapes of attention someone would show you.

 Paul was writing to the rebels in this chapter, but his message is really for all of us:

I love how this message comes just as we're preparing to celebrate all God has done for us! 
Notice:

 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
 Paul is specifically addressing the sin of sexual immorality, and we all know that it is SIN, and it's probably just as prevalent today as it was then. It's dangerous and wrong, but there's a deeper message Paul is conveying here. 

You are precious to God! 
Whenever we purchase something of great value, we take extremely good care of it. Whether it’s an expensive piece of jewelry, a new house, or car. I'm sure we all can remember when we finally bought something that we had to make a huge sacrifice for in order to obtain it, which is why we take such great care of it. Right?

 The price we were bought with is found in 1 Peter 1:18–19: “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (NLT).

 Therefore, when Paul says, “You were bought with a price,” he means each of us were purchased and paid for with the precious, sinless, blood of Jesus Christ, for Jesus Himself, told us that He came to give His life as a ransom for us in Matthew 20:28. 

 Recently I had a chance to leave my home and travel to one of the poorest, filthiest, most dangerous places in this country to walk among and love on some of the world's neediest people. I will never forget that time, and as I walked the streets of this neighborhood; stepping over garbage and filth, seeing all the signs of an unwelcoming neighborhood, I was overcome with the thought of all Jesus left in heaven, and the astronomical price He came to pay for you and me! 

  Paul also tells us that “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10) And,
You are precious to God! 

AND God created our bodies for a purpose—to bring glory and honor to Him (6:20). This should be the guiding principle for all that we do. 

 We only have this one body with which to serve and honor our Lord and Savior for all He has done for us. How do you plan use it for His glory? 

 Blessings,  

 sue
Our Value is Found in Him Alone

1 Samuel

Self Image -The Lord Looks At The Heart {1 Sam. 16:1-12}

12:00 AM





“My beloved child, you are precious, and a delight to Me”....Love God
                     
Charged with anointing the next king of Israel, Samuel traveled to Bethlehem; to the house of Jesse. As Jesse presented each of his sons before Him, Samuel thought that surely one of these fine looking men must be God’s choice. Even a godly man like Samuel couldn’t help but make a judgement based on appearance. But the Lord warned Samuel saying, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (vs. 16:7) God’s pick was David. The youngest of seven and not even considered, where the world saw an insignificant shepherd boy of little worth, God saw the heart of a great and faithful man. A man after His own heart, and a man He called beloved.

As women, we are constantly bombarded with the ridiculous and often unattainable expectations of the world. Through television, movies, and social media, daily we are told that our worth is dependent upon our looks, our talents, and how many followers and likes we can get. So when our own lives seem to fall short in comparison, no wonder we find ourselves depressed, envious, and wrapped up in a game of, “if only”. Yet today's society is a fickle bunch whose tastes and ideals are constantly changing. And the truth is that no one, absolutely no one can obtain the false perfection that it eagerly worships. We need to get off the hamster wheel to nowhere that tries to find our worth through the superficial eyes of the world. For true self worth comes from not from a worldly identity, but rather a godly one.

“He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4) 

Did you know the word “beloved” appears nearly 120 times throughout the Bible? It’s a word reserved for those who are adored, cherished, treasured, and greatly loved. And just as God called David beloved, so He calls us. He created each of us intentionally, purposefully, and lovingly. He calls us beautiful, valuable, wanted, and His. And unlike the world who turns away when the shine fades from our star, His love never falters, never fails, and never grows cold. So the next time you find the world trying to define your worth and the Enemy whispering lies of inadequacy in your ears, remember this. You are a daughter of the most high God. There is no Hollywood trophy, no social media following, nor worldly accolade that could compare with the value of knowing one day we will spend eternity dwelling and reigning with the Lord. So wear your crown proudly, have a heart longing to serve God, and never forget, you are loved, you are loved, you are loved!