Why I Went to the Altar Again Last Sunday

August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Every Sunday my husband preaches solid Truth from God’s Word. It’s powerful, not because it’s my husband, but because he’s preaching The Word of God. During the sermon, the Lord is wanting me to hear, to be instructed, to change, to repent, and to obey. How will that be evidenced in my life? I believe that the first step is indeed a step – a step toward the altar. I go forward on many Sundays not necessarily to confess some horrific sin, but I’m driven by the desire that my heart will stay soft and not get tough and crusty. I don’t go every single Sunday, but I do go frequently. Here’s why:

I desire to stay tender towards the Holy Spirit’s prodding in my heart.
It’s good to just talk to God about what was just preached, and ask the Lord to search my heart.
I confess anything He brings to my mind and then surrender to Him whatever He brings to my mind and heart.
I desire that my going to the altar will encourage others not to be afraid to move forward as well.
I go to pray for others I know are unsaved in our service.
When I’m down front, I’m ready to be able to minister to other women who may have a spiritual need.

Most of the things listed above could be done right at my seat, but with all my heart I’m telling you, that I’ve watched “Old Christians” get hardened and hard hearted about invitation time. Some I’ve known for years have never walked the aisle to bow the knee in surrender or confession of a need. How can that be? I’m sure it isn’t that the Lord has not spoken to them, but I believe the longer we sit tight and talk ourselves into the, “I can make any decision right here in my seat,” we’re moving towards it being easier and easier to toughen up and resist the conviction and leading of the Holy Spirit. A person doesn’t lose their salvation, but I do believe your heart can get hard as a result.

I’m not putting myself up as a “super-Christian” because I go forward – it’s really just the opposite. I know my own heart and how it wants its own way! My method to fight against that is to pray for a tender heart and then obey when the Spirit of God prods me. I remember hearing about a man who used to cry so much in church and in any spiritual situation and he hated that, so he prayed for God to take his tears away. Then he spent the rest of his life asking God to give his tears back.

How long has it been since you’ve “done business” with the Lord at the altar of your church? If your church doesn’t give invitations any more, I’d seriously pray about finding one that did. There’s a lot to be said for having a tender heart before the Lord and having an opportunity to respond to His conviction and leading…at the altar!

Lovingly,

Christian Life

A Reminder of God’s Care

August 20, 2015August 25, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

It was just a little piece of jewelry, but it meant so much to me. It was a hoop earring with small diamonds, given to me by my husband when I finished the home school education of our youngest daughter. It was sentimental and special to me and I cherished those earrings, and I wore them often. Then last week it happened – I went to take them off, and instead of finding one in each ear, I only found the one in my left ear.

I searched everywhere. The floor, the laundry, the washer and dryer. It was nowhere to be found.

During the time of my searching, I had been listening to a message on my phone about prayer. The preacher was talking about how every part of our lives matters to God. There is no part of my life that is mine and the rest God cares about. No! He is interested and caring about it all. In the midst of my hunt, I stopped to pray and acknowledge the presence and power of my living God in even this small detail of my life. But, still no earring.

I wondered if the Lord was teaching me other lessons – perhaps,that things don’t matter. Then about three days after it was lost, I was doing my morning routines of cleaning the bathroom and when I stooped over to clean the bathtub, I saw something shiny and small…MY EARRING!

I have no idea how it didn’t go down the drain earlier. I have no idea really how it got in the tub, but I do know that the Lord knew all along where it was, and I am sure He guided me to find it. I stopped then to thank Him and acknowledge His guidance and help in this detail that was important to me.

What a sweet reminder that He cares for every part of my life and yours! This was no coincidence, of that I am sure. I’m so thankful that I have a loving, wise heavenly Father to whom I can take my cares. I didn’t need this situation to know He cares – His Word tells me over and over again, and He proved it on Calvary, but how sweet these reminders are!

It makes me realize all the more that in every detail of my life, I must acknowledge God. How could I just move on as though He doesn’t exist? I need Him for the big things – decisions, provision, wisdom, courage to witness, and the little things – desires, remembering details, help for my daily routine as a homemaker, help with my meal prep; whatever is important to me. Nothing is too big, nor is anything too small that God is not interested.

What is on your heart today? Have you acknowledged the Lord in that area or need? Pray about it, then when He answers, be sure to give Him the credit due His wonderful Name, even for the little things!

With love,

Is My Marriage Keeping My Prayers from Being Answered?

July 23, 2015July 22, 2015 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Here’s a five minute video to encourage your marriage AND your prayer life.

Lovingly,
Denise

Christian Life

How To Deal with Criticism

June 4, 2015June 3, 2015 RefreshHer9 Comments

We all like to think we have no enemies, that everyone is behind what we represent, how we live and what we do. But the truth is, none of us will ever please everyone. There will always be someone who will criticize and slander our name.

When was the last time someone spoke evil of you? Maybe it was to your face, or perhaps that word was behind your back, but got back to you (as gossip and slander always do!).

Apparently David also knew what it was like to be criticized and talked about. I recently read Psalm 119:23

Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

I love David’s response! Rather than thinking about the people who were talking, rather than repeating what the people said, and rather than dwelling on what he’d tell them if he got the chance, he made the choice instead to meditate on the Scriptures!

When I’ve dealt in the past with criticism, I have often done all the highlighted things above. I rehearse it in my mind, I think about “those people!,” and I make long, speeches in my mind, instead of meditating on Scripture. My thoughts did not help or comfort me! But what if I had chosen to dwell on God’s Word? Oh, the comfort, the counsel and the wisdom it would bring!

Are you dealing today with ugly things that have been said about you? Don’t think about it! Instead, follow David’s example and find a passage of Scripture to meditate on. Write it on a card and keep it with you all through the day. Commit it to memory. Pray it back to the Lord. Those biblical thoughts will profit you and encourage growth – something that dwelling on the evil will not do!

Refresh yourself with thinking on God’s Word!

Christian Life · friends

Show Yourself Friendly

February 24, 2015March 13, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

Our world teaches us how to be:

Budget-Friendly Pet-Friendly

Eco-Friendly Kid-Friendly

But the Bible teaches us to be People-friendly. In truth, it’s pretty easy to be Budget-friendly (spend wisely), Pet-friendly (create spaces Fido and Fluffy will love), Eco-friendly (treat the earth well) and Kid-friendly (give children foods they’ll eat). But sometimes coming up with ways to be just plain ol’ friendly to another human being stumps us!

In a world that drives up the driveway, pushes the garage door open, closes it quickly, and goes inside before anyone sees a real, live person getting out of the car, being friendly can be uncomfortable. However, if we love the Lord Jesus and desire to be like Him, we won’t avoid people; we’ll look for ways to minister to them.

Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

Not – Should, might, or maybe, but MUST shew himself friendly.

How could you and I show or prove our friendliness today?

Reach out – Make contact. Smile. Give a hug. Send a text. Make a call. Send a card. An unfriendly person will turn and go the other direction to avoid others.
Give out – Give of your time – make a visit. Give of your possessions – provide a need. An unfriendly person will only see their own needs. If they do see the needs of someone else, they’ll dismiss the thought of helping.
Speak out – Use your words to be a blessing. Give a greeting at church to the visitor you don’t know. Stop to chat and get acquainted. Speak with the stranger in the grocery store. Don’t be afraid to engage in conversation. An unfriendly person only speaks to people that makes them feel comfortable.

Now, you evaluate – are you friendly? What could you do to change that today? The Lord will help you! Philippians 4:13

Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how. ~Author Unknown

John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Will others know by watching us that we are Christ’s followers? Open more than your garage door – open your heart’s door to someone today and show the love of Christ to them!

How has someone recently shown friendliness to you?

With love,