Sun, Jan 29th - 6:35PM

Forty Days of Purpose - day twenty-three

"God wants us to grow up like Christ in everything." Eph. 4:15

Spiritual growth is not automatic.  It takes intentional commitment.  You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow and persist in growing.  Discipleship begins with a decision.  Jesus calls us and we respond.  "Come, be my disciple, Jesus said to him.  So Matthew got up and followed Him."  All you need to get started is to decide to become a disciple.  Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you decide to make.  Commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way they will define you.  Every choice has eternal consequences, so we better choose wisely.  Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives we should be living!

Once you decide to get serious about becoming like Christ, you must begin to act in new ways.  You will need to let go of some old routines, develop some new habits, and intentionally change the way you think.  You can be certain that the Holy Spirit will help you with these changes.  Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.  Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit.  God's spirit works with us, not just in us.

God has given me a new life, now it is up to me to develop it "with fear and trembling".  That means I take my spiritual growth seriously!  To be casual about it would mean that I don't understand the eternal implications.  I have changed the way I think.  Behind everything you do is a thought.  Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude.  Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  The first step in spiritual growth is to start changing the way you think.  Change always starts first in your mind.  The way you think, determines the way you feel and the way you feel influences the way you act.

To be Christlike, one must think like Christ.  This mental shift is called repentance, which in Greek literally means "to change your mind".  You repent whenever you change the way you think by adopting how God thinks - - about yourself, sin, other people, life, your future and everything else.  You take on Christ's outlook and perspective.  Stop thinking immature thoughts, which are self-centered and self-seeking.  Selfish thinking is the source of sinful behavior.  Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want. Mature thinking focuses on others, not yourself.  In his great chapter on what real love is, Paul concluded that thinking of others is the mark of maturity: "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

Don't assume that spiritual maturity is measured by the amount of biblical information and doctrine you know.  While knowledge is one measurement of maturity, it isn't the whole story.  The Christian life is far more than creeds and convictions; it includes conduct and character.  Our deeds must be consistent with our creeds, and our beliefs must be backed up with Christlike behavior.  Christianity is not a religion or a philosophy, but a relationship and a lifestyle.  The core of that lifestyle is thinking of others, as Jesus did, instead of ourselves.  (Even Christ did not try to please Himself).  Thinking of others is the heart of Christlikeness and the best evidence of spiritual growth.  This kind of thinking is unnatural, counter-cultural, rare, and difficult.  Fortunately we have help.  God has given us His Spirit.  That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. 

It is never too late to start growing.

"Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.  Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect." Romans 12:2

Sun, Jan 29th - 5:39PM

The Lord's Day

HAPPY LORD'S DAY FRIENDS!  I hope you're warm in His love, peace and comfort on this day, set aside specially for Him.  Wish me well as I continue to pray for my enemies and defend my faith

In His Joy,

TalkerCat

Sat, Jan 28th - 3:43PM

Forty Days of Purpose - day twenty-two

God knew what He was doing from the very beginning.  He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him.

I was created to become like Christ.  This is my destiny and the third purpose of my life.  God announced this intention in Genesis: "Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image and likeness'".  In all of creation, only human beings are made in "God's Image".  This is a great privilege and gives us dignity.  Like God, we are spiritual beings - - our spirits are immortal and will outlast our earthly bodies; we are intellictual - - we can think, reason, and solve problems;  like God, we are relational - - we can give and receive real love; and we have a moral consciousness - - we know right from wrong, which makes us accountable to God.

I believe that all people, not just believers, possess part of the image of God; that is why murder and abortion are wrong.  But the image is incomplete, damaged and distorted by SIN.  Yes, I believe that people who choose wrong over right are incomplete, they need Jesus to come in and restore their full image (I'm sure a firestorm of comments will really start now!). 

What does the full "image and likeness" of  God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ!  The bible says Jesus is "the exact likeness of God," "the visible image of the invisible God," and "the exact representation of His being."  We were created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.  Now let me be absolutely clear:  You will never become God or even a god.  That prideful lie is Satan's oldest temptation.  Many religions and New Age philosophies still promote this old lie that we are divine or can become gods (sound familiar dear friend?).  The desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control the circumstances, our future, and people around us.  But as creatures, we will never be the Creator.  God doesn't want me to become a god, He wants me to be godly - - taking on His values, attitudes and character.  "Take on an entirely new way of life - - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you". 

God's ultimate goal for my life on earth is not comfort, but character development.  He wants me to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.  Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone.  God created my uniqueness so He certainly doesn't want it destroyed.  Christlikeness is transforming character not personality.   I strive to develop the kind of character Jesus describes in The Beatitudes. I don't want to ever forget that character is one of God's purposes for my life, that it will keep me from becoming frustrated by circumstances.  Life is supposed to be difficult!  It's what enables us to grow.  This is earth, not Heaven! Christian life is not easy.  Life is not about me, I exist for God's purposes.  Why would God create heaven on earth when He's planned the real thing for us in eternity?  Our time on earth is to build and strengthen our character for heaven.

It is the Holy Spirit that produces Christlike character in you.  As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more.  This is called sanctification and it is the third purpose of life on earth.  God is working in me, giving me the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him. The power of the Holy Spirit isn't always demonstrated by intense emotion and miracles.  Most of the time the Holy Spirit's power is released in your life in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren't even aware of.  He often nudges you with a gentle whisper.

We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work.  He releases His power the moment you take a step of faith.  Obedience unlocks God's power.  God waits for you to make the first move.  Don't wait to feel powerful or confident - move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fear or feelings.  This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and is how your character develops.  We must make every effort in our growth toward becoming like Jesus.  We can't just sit around waiting for it to happen. For a beautiful picture of what happens when we allow God to direct our thoughts, consider the amazing transformation a caterpillar makes in becoming a butterfly.  We are changed from the inside out, we become more beautiful and we are set free to soar to new heights.

Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth.  Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life.  We are all a work in progress.  Our spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life and even then it won't be completed here on earth.  It will only be finished when we get to heaven or when Jesus returns. I can't even imagine what I will be like when Christ returns.  But I do know that when He comes I will be like Him, for I will see Him as He really is.  God is far more interested in building our character than He is anything else.  What He cares about most is whatever you do, you do in a Christlike manner.  He is far more interested in what you are than in what you do.  We are human beings, not human doings.  God is  much more concerned with our character than with our careers because we take our characters to heaven. We are warned: "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You'll be changed from the inside out ... Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings out the best of you and develops a well-formed maturity in you."  We must make a counter-culture decision to focus on becoming more like Jesus.  Otherwise, other forces like peers, parents, coworkers and culture will try to mold you into their image. 

Sadly, many Christians have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability.  That is narcissism, not discipleship.  Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives.  His purpose is far deeper.  He wants to make us like himself before He takes us to heaven.  This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.

"We look at His Son and see God's original purpose in everything created."  Col. 1:15

Sat, Jan 28th - 1:30PM

Loving Thy Enemies

Good Day Dear Alias and Friend.  Good Day to Anyone that seeks to misguide me or slam me for righteousness' sake!  Jesus loves you and so do I!  May you all be blessed special today by the Love of God.... for every step I take closer to Him brings out more and more of the Evil One...

On to the blog!

Blessings-

TalkerCat

Fri, Jan 27th - 8:35PM

Not Discouraged

I have decided to follow Jesus and DEFEND MY FAITH.  I've prayed about this and will continue blogging and sharing my journey; my personal journey.  This is between ME and GOD so anyone that feels it necessary to slam me, call me names or otherwise try to discourage me will be seen for what and who they are!  I REBUKE THEE SATAN, IN THE  NAME OF JESUS!! and will not be bothered by malcontents anymore!  Poof!  You're GONE!

Blessings-

TalkerCat

Fri, Jan 27th - 11:44AM

Popular Occultism

I don't know what it is about MY journal that has sparked so much rude controversy!  I have now received a comment from 'FRIEND' who suggests I read "Deceived on Purpose" by Warren Smith.

I wish to inform my FRIEND that I am NOT NEW AGE and neither is GOD and when I googled the book's title it came up under "Popular Occultism".  And while I appreciate the comments I just don't understand those that try to undermine my beliefs.  This is my journal but I made the mistake of putting it out on the net. .. albeit a christian website.  I never dreamed I'd be called names or misdirected by 'christians' and it's getting to where I don't want to share my journey with anyone but God.

Blessings-

TalkerCat

Mon, Jan 23rd - 8:38PM

Forty Days of Purpose - day twenty-one

" You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way"   Eph 4:3

" Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony"  Col 3:14

Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than His Church.  He paid the highest price for it, and He wants it protected.  In His final moments before being arrested, Jesus prayed passionately for our unity.  It was our unity that was uppermost in His mind during those agonizing hours.  That's how significant the subject is.  As a part of God's family, I am supposed to protect the unity where I fellowship.  I am commissioned by Jesus Christ to do everything possible to preserve the unity, protect the fellowship, and promote harmony in my church family and among all believers.  "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and on the growth of one another's character".  As believers we share one Lord, one body, one purpose, one Father, one spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism and one love.  We share the same salvation, the same life, and the same future - - factors far more important than any differences we could enumerate.  For unity's sake we must never let differences divide us.  We must passionately love the church in spite of its imperfections.

Other believers will disappoint you, but that's no reason to stop fellowship with them.  They are your family even when they don't act like it.  The church is made up of sinners, including ourselves.  Divorcing your church at the first sign of disappointment or disillusionment is a mark of immaturity.  There is no perfect church, each has its own set of weaknesses and problems - you'll soon be disappointed again.  If a church must be perfect to satisfy you, that same perfection will exclude you; you are not perfect!  The sooner we give up the illusion that a church must be perfect in order to love it, the sooner we quit pretending and start admitting we're all imperfect and need grace.  Every church could put out a sign: "No perfect people need apply.  This is a place only for those who admit they are sinners, need grace and want to grow"

The bible calls Satan "the accuser of our brothers".  It's the Devil's job to blame, complain, and critize members of God's family.  Anytime we do the same, we're being duped into doing Satan's work for him. "Why then, critize your brother, why try to make him look small?  We'll all be judged one day, not by each other's standards or even our own, but by the standards of Christ".  Jesus gave us a simple, three-step process in handling conflict, he says "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him - - work it out between the two of you.  If he listens, you've made a friend.  If he doesn't listen, take two or three others with you so that the presence of witnesses keep things honest, and try again.  If he still won't listen, tell the church". 

Support your pastor and leaders.  God gives leaders the responsibility and the authority to maintain the unity of the church.  The bible is clear about how we are to relate to those who serve us. We are to be responsive to our pastoral leaders.  Listen to their counsel.  They are alert to the condition of your life and work under the strict supervision of God.  Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery.  Why would you want to make things harder for them?  We protect the fellowship when we honor those who serve us by leading.  Pastors and Elders need our prayers, encouragement, appreciation and love.  "Honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibilty of urging and guiding you along in your obedience.  Overwhelm them with appreciation and love"

God blesses churches that are unified. He says, "Don't think only of your own good.  Think of other christians and what is best for them"  Many people are looking for love and a place to belong.  The truth is everyone needs and wants to be loved and when people find a church where members genuinely love and care for each other you would have to lock the doors to keep them away.

"Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together" Romans 14:19

Mon, Jan 23rd - 7:20PM

Rebuking Satan

I've received two very rude comments to my blog by a user called "juan".  Firstly, juan asked why I praise the Lord for modern medicine and secondly he wants to know why I blame Satan for my husband's abusive behavior, when in fact I'm just a b*tch?

OK, "juan" Dearest, you're in my prayers and I rebuke your personal demons in the name of Jesus.

1) I praise the Lord for modern medicine because He has vessels on earth that He uses to care for and protect us.   The doctors and surgeons that take care of me are His vessels - PRAISE THE LORD!

2) Abuse is evil in any form.  Satan is evil and looks to hurt, mame and kill.  My husband's abusive behavior is of Satan.  If I'm a b*tch as you suggest, that too, is evil and I rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus.

Now juan, please, no more rude comments.  This blog was initially started as a journal of my journey in finding my purpose for God.  The language you use is uncalled for.  The nastiness portrayed is evil and I rebuke it in the name of Jesus.  I will not read, nor will I comment on anything you have to say - ever again.  I shake my feet of the dust and keep on walking.

Praising His Name-

TalkerCat

Mon, Jan 16th - 6:22PM

Prayers Needed

Prayers are needed as I prepare to be admitted to the hospital for surgery.  On Wednesday the 18th, I'm having an Angioplasty to open veins in my leg.  This procedure will improve the circulation in my foot by 30-40%.  PRAISE THE LORD!  Now my foot doesn't have to be amputated!  I don't know how long I'll be in the hospital - one night, possibly two.  As soon as I'm able I'll return to the blog.  Thank you all for caring!

Praising His Name -

Your Friend and Sister in Christ, Terri

Sat, Jan 14th - 6:34PM

Forty Days of Purpose - day twenty

" ... Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody..."  Romans 12:18

Paul wrote: "If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you . . . . Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends".  Paul taught that our ability to get along well with others is a mark of spiritual maturity, this is why he was embarrassed that the members of the church of Corinth were splitting into warring factions.  He wrote: "Shame on you!  Surely there is at least one wise person in your fellowship who can settle a dispute between fellow Christians"  He was shocked that no one in the church was mature enough to resolve the conflict peaceably.  In the same letter he wrote: "I'll put it as urgently as I can.  You must get along with each other". 

Since I want to be known as a child of God I must learn to be a peacemaker.  Jesus said: "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God".  Notice Jesus didn't say "blessed are the peace lovers" (because everyone loves peace) neither did he say "blessed are the peaceable" (some people aren't disturbed by anything) he said "Blessed are those who work for peace" (those who actually seek to resolve conflict).  Peacemakers are rare because peacemaking is hard work.  I was formed to be part of God's family and the second purpose of my life is to learn how to love and relate to others, peacemaking is one of the most important skills I am to develop.  Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict.  Running from a problem, pretending it doesn't exist, or being afraid to talk about it is actually cowardice.  Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was never afraid of conflict.  Peacemaking is also not appeasement.  Always giving in, acting like a doormat and allowing others to always run over you is not what Jesus had in mind.  He refused to back down on many issues, standing His ground in the face of evil opposition.  As believers, God has called upon us to settle our relationships with each other. 

Restoring broken fellowship is so important that Jesus commanded it take priority over group worship.  He said: "If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to your friend and make things right. Then and only then come back and work things out with God."  Delay only deepens resentment and makes matters worse.  Acting quickly also reduces the spiritual damage to you.  The bible says sin, including unresolved conflict blocks your fellowship with God and keeps our prayers from being answered, besides making us miserable.  We are advised to "look out for one another's interests, not just for your own."  We must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.  It is a sacrifice to patiently absorb the anger of others, especially if it's unfounded.  Remember, this is what Jesus did for you.  He endured unfounded, malicious anger in order to save you.  Christ did not indulge His own feelings.  Scripture says: "The insults of those who insult you fall on me". 

Confession is a powerful tool for reconciliation.  When we begin by humbly admitting our own mistakes it defuses the other person's anger and disarms their attack because they probably expected you to be defensive.  I can't quote the verse verbatim, but somewhere Jesus tells us to "First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye". Ask God to show you how much of the problem is your own fault.  The bible says "if we claim to be free of sin we are fooling ourselves".  Accept responsibility for your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

In resolving conflict, how you say it is as important as what you say.  A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Choose your words wisely.  A soft answer is always better than a sarcastic one.  Paul says "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody". 

Peace always has a price tag.  Sometimes it costs your pride, and it often costs our self-centeredness.  For the sake of fellowship, do your best to compromise, adjust to others, and show preference to what they need.  A paraphrase of Jesus' seventh beatitude says, "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.  That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family"

We can reestablish a relationship even when we are unable to resolve our differences.  God expects unity not uniformity, and we can walk arm-in-arm without seeing eye-to-eye.  Reconciliation means you bury the hatchet, not necessarily the issue.  It takes a lot of effort to restore a relationship.  That's why Peter urged, "Work hard at living in peace with others". 

When you work for peace you are doing what God would do.  That's why God calls peacemakers His children

Wed, Jan 11th - 3:10PM

I'M STILL ON MY JOURNEY

I've been away for quite some time due to emotional, mental and health issues; however,  I have not ceased in reading my bible daily and I'm still on my journey for purpose.

As things settle down to a sense of normalcy once again, I can pick up where I left off on the journal (blog).  I received several messages and emails regarding my well-being and must shout out a big "thank you" to all that care so much.

Praise His Holy Name!