Light Up the Room

Written by Trophy of Grace
Cross Post from Consecrated to Him

“You are the world’s light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16

While I was shopping this past Christmas I found a beautiful mosaic candle holder. Its red and gold with two gold crosses on the front and on the back. I just had to get a closer look so I took it into my hands. As I held it I heard the Holy Spirit say,

“This candle holder is just like the believers. You are covered in the blood of Jesus and marked by the Holy Spirit with His mark. Your life was shattered into pieces and then I came and put the pieces back together for you. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit. You are beautiful and have become a beautiful mosaic that I have put my light in. When you are full of my Spirit you brighten the room and provide light and direction for others to find their way to Me.”

When I saw the price I just had to have it. As soon as I got home I immediately took this unique candle holder up to my bedroom where it would be safe from our many children. I put the candles in it and turned off the lights so that I could see its beauty. Just as I expected the cross gleamed in the darkness of my room. I couldn’t take my eyes of it. I just had to smile at the thought of being like this beautiful mosaic candle holder lighting up the darkness.

As believers I think that one of our hearts desires is to want to be the light in the darkness, to be the light in a dark room, in a dark world. We should honestly ask ourselves, “Do I bring light to what ever room I’m in with words of life and encouragement? Am I the light in my family, at my job, or at my school? Do others know that I belong to Christ? Does my walk match my talk?

You can tell if others know that you belong to Christ and see your light because they act different when you enter the room. Maybe they don’t curse as much, or apologize when they do, dirty conversations will stop when you walk in, and they respect the Holy Spirit in you. When you are around they want to act right or be good.

Our Lord has said that we are the world’s light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all. Our Lord wants us to let everyone that comes into contact with us see the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We must be careful not to hide our light. We are hiding our light when we:

Stay quiet when we know we should speak the Truth. Don’t be scared to speak the Word of God. He has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. Remember that not everyone will receive what you have to say, but you have to trust the Lord’s promise that His Word never returns void, but it will accomplish all that He sent it out for, it will prosper. (2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 55:11)

Compromise the Word of God and go along with the rest of the world. We are supposed to be different than the world. Our ways, thoughts, and desires should line up with the Word of God. If we look the same and act the same as the rest of the world then how will those who need Christ know that we are different? When unbelievers see us walking in love, caring for the needs of others, and speaking truth and life they will know that we are different and will be drawn to the Love that is in us. When we compromise they will think that we are no different then they are, lost in sin.

Give into sin. We are no longer slaves to sin. When you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you. So then we should not allow ourselves to get caught up in the former things that use to keep us in bondage or ensnared by new sinful practices. No one who has become part of God’s family makes a practice of sinning, for Christ, God’s Son, holds him securely and the devil cannot get his hands on him. (Romans 6:6-7, 1 John 5:18)

Don’t share the Gospel with the many lost souls around us. We have been commissioned by Jesus Christ to share the Gospel with the world. It is not just the job of our pastor or the missionaries. You can not financially support some missionaries or your church and say that you have done your part. You are not to go to church to get full of the Word just to become a fatter Christian. Exercise by sharing the Gospel with others. The Lord will give you the Words to speak. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Ignore the needs of others. But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him-how can God’s love be within him? Let us stop saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (1 John 3:17-18, Isaiah 58:10—11)

You are the light of this world. Don’t hide your light share it with others! Let your light shine! Light up the room!! Light up the world!! This is God’s will for our lives.

Surrender Daily

Cross Post from ConsecratedToHim.com

Written by: Trophy of Grace

When we ask Jesus to come into our lives it should be because we acknowledged that we have sinned against God and disobeyed His laws. We go to Him broken with a contrite spirit, humbly sorry for our sins. Asking Him to forgive us, restore us, transform us and create in us a clean heart. It has become apparent to us that we need Him to help us because our ways of doing things in our lives have lead us down the wrong path. Heart ache and pain are the result of our own selfish and rebellious nature. Tired of this way of life we turn to Him and ask Him to take the wheel. We want him to be our Lord and Savior so we surrender to Him and confess our sins, repent, and ask Him to come into our hearts to live and rule.

This attitude of complete surrender that we have when we realize that we are sinners and hopeless without Him is one that we need to have on a daily basis. The definition of surrender is to give oneself up to another’s power or control. In order to be effective, victorious, powerful Christians then we must choose to surrender daily to the Lord’s will, His Spirit, and His Word.

Our Lord gave Joshua specific instructions when he was promoted as the new ruler of Israel after the death of his mentor Moses. His directives were to 1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, 2) obey God’s Word, 3) always remind the people of God’s Word, and 4) daily read, study, and meditate on God’s Word. Joshua followed our Lord’s instructions and he conquered his enemies and successfully ruled God’s people. This advice is still good today. We can apply these instructions to our Christian walk so that we can be mighty conquerors just like Joshua was. (Joshua 1:6-8)

The writer of Psalm 119 also understood that it was vital to know God’s Word and to submit to it.

“Blessed Lord, teach me your rules. I have recited your laws, and rejoiced in them more than in riches. I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect. I will delight in them and not forget them.” Psalm 119:12-16

“Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely.” Psalm 119:29-32

“May I never forget your words; for they are my only hope.” Psalm 119:43

If we will choose to meditate on and surrender to God’s Word daily we will desire His will and His way of doing things for our lives. His Word will rise up in our hearts and minds and then flow out our mouth producing life. We will be changed and empowered to live victorious Christian lives.

Thank you Lord for your Word that gives us power and courage to produce fruitful Christian living. We will daily surrender our will and lay it at your feet. Your way is what we desire most. Thank you for your power and wisdom. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pressure of Being A Good Christian

Anonymous said...
God Bless you Sisters, I am 23 and I need help. I have four older sisters and am in a new relationship with a good christian guy. My sisters are very controlling and since I am the young one they treat me with absolute no respect. We are all christians but lately I feel like the pressure of being a good christain girlfriend and being respectful of my sisters is just too much. I am very much a pushover. What should I do to tell them to back off without offending them? And what should I do to not ruin my relationship with my boyfriend?The scripture that comes to mind when I read this is Matthe w 11:28-30

Trophy of Grace responds.. The Scripture that comes to mind when I read this is Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

These situations with family can be hard. Perhaps your sisters are being over protective of you because you are the baby. I know that can be tough. Although I am the oldest in my family I went to school with cousins and uncles who were older than me and made my life a little tough, but I know that they meant well.

Your sisters should not treat you disrespectfully though. You must address this issue with them so that you are not overcome with anger, frustration, and even bitterness. If you keep shut about it too long you may one day lash out about it the wrong way. Instead go before the altar of our Lord and seek His face about this whole issue. He will give you wisdom and understanding. Ask Him to prepare their hearts and to give you the words to speak to your sisters. He will give you the power to address them courageously, meekly (not weakly), and most importantly in love.

Regarding your relationship with your boyfriend..

You have to also lay this relationship down at the altar. Surrender it to our Lord. If it is meant for you two to be together then it will be. Make sure that you have asked God if this relationship is His is will or yours. Long to do His will no matter what.

If you want a strong relationship then it must be built on the Rock. Go to church together. Pray together often. Read and study the Word together. Commit to pray for one another in your private prayer closet. Encourage one another with the Word. Volunteer at your church together. Ask the Lord to help you both fulfill His plan for your lives. Always remember what 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I will be praying for you,

Trophy of Grace

Have a question or topic idea?
Read Scriptures by Subject
Read our counselors' testimonies

The Good-O-Meter

I Like Him But He's Not Christian

A MySpace Friend Wrote: I'm writing to you because I've read your bulletines and they've helped me...

but now i have this problem&seems harder than what i really thought.

Almost all my life i was raised in the gospel,i know right from wrong. I know that God is our only true love.

We've always been taught, keep yourself pure until the day you get married, do not set eyes on an unbeliever, watch what you do and say at all times and respresent Christ in everything you do. That never really seemed like a problem until now that I started college. The trials have gotten bigger, the struggles are harder and I've come to a point where I feel as if i can't go on anymore....I am so in need of God. I've gotten so caught up in the things of the world and put God to a side without realizing it until now.

I'm broken and in need of a savior. I've always been one to give advice and live by it until it happened to me....not too long ago i met this guy and things were good and he's nice,funny,sweet,handsome but he is NOT a christian. I didn't realize how much time i was giving him and not God.

I really do like him though,but I know that we can't be together because we don't have to same beliefs but when i'm with him its as if nothing matters and i wouldnt rather be in any other place but i know better, i know better than to set eyes on an unbeliever but i dont know whats happened....

I havent forgotten God, i haven't, but I don't feel Him like before. And my soul yearns for him....but my flesh desires worldy things. Though i haven't done anything wrong with this guy...and everything feels right when i'm with him when i go to church or talk to my pastor for some reason i feel ashamed....i feel dirty and i dont know why. I know i'm wrong,i know that God has promised great things for me, i just feel like i cant let go of this guy because he's good to me and doesn't deserve me to break his heart bc i know what that feels like......so i write to you today, asking you for help...asking you for prayer.
I dont know what to do...?????
Can you help me?

Response: Hi. I’m glad our bulletins have been helpful to you and I pray that God gives me the words to help you with your dilemma.

I understand your situation and have been there. It’s so easy to be consumed with worldly things. And it’s also common for people to say they’re not sure if they’re as close to God because they don’t “feel” Him. As Christians we have to remember that serving our Lord isn’t a feeling. It’s a way of being. God knows that we’re full of human emotions and reactions. And for that reason He gives us certain tangible revelations or situations where we can “feel” His presence. But feeling is not what we should go by…we should go by faith and know that our Heavenly Father is with us at all times. Everyday we have to choose to serve Him.

About your friend… Distractions are placed in our lives to steer us away from God. It’s up to us to decide whether or not to do so. Sometimes these distractions are nice, funny, sweet and even handsome… just as someone we pray for our Lord to bring into our lives. But meeting them might not be for what we think. It could be a test of self control, faith, endurance, humility. When you really dedicate yourself to the Lord you have to sacrifice certain things. And at times sacrificing these worldly things seems tougher than we’ve imagined. But you have to stay strong. Take a couple of steps back, even if it’s difficult. When you take those steps back from your new friend, you will see they are actually steps forward… forward towards God again. You know in your heart that you’ve turned away from your true love and the Holy Spirit is ministering to you from within to look for Him again, as in the story of David (please read Psalm 51).

I will pray for your strength and endurance within Christ to steer you back to Jehovah-Machsi, the Lord my Refuge.

Saved By Faith

PS - The women of WeUsed2bu love and care about your eternal soul. Therefore, we must tell you that there will be a day when each of us will have to stand before God and be judged for all we have done on this earth. To find out how you can have right standing with God CLICK HERE

Have a question or topic idea?
Read Scriptures by Subject
Read our counselors' testimonies

It's All About A Relationship

Written by Trophy of Grace

True followers of Christ understand that Jesus died in our place for our sins and because of the blood that was shed at Calvary we now have right standing with God. We are made righteous with God because of what Christ Jesus did. We can now go boldly before the throne of God so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. We now have the opportunity to have a real relationship with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. (1 Peter 1:18-19, Isaiah 53:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:16)

Do you really understand what that means? Christianity is NOT about religion or about being religious. Christianity is all about having a relationship with the Almighty God! It’s about spending time with Jesus through reading the Word, prayer, and fellowshipping with other believers resulting in becoming more like Christ.
Don’t let anyone complicate the simplicity of Christianity. It helps me to always remember the following things:

Ø We are all sinners and guilty of breaking God’s laws. The wages of our sin is death. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23)

Ø If we believe in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord we will receive forgiveness for our sins and be saved from hell, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.( John 3:36, John 11:25-26, Psalm 50:22, Psalm 25:18, Luke 15:10, Romans 10:9, Matthew 22:12-13, Matthew 24: 50-51, Luke 13:27-28)

Ø We are sons and daughters of God Almighty. He is our Heavenly Father who is always watching over us and constantly thinking good thoughts towards us. He has good plans for our lives. He is our Helper and our Deliverer. We can put all our trust in Him because He cares for us. (Romans 8:14, Galatians We 4:5-7, 1 John 3:2, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Peter 3:12, Psalm 139:17-18, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Psalm 27:8-10, Psalm 37:39-40, Psalm 54:5, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 4:5, Psalm 2:12, Psalm 84:12, Proverbs 30:5, 1 Peter 5:7)

Ø The Holy Spirit lives in us and we are the temple of God. We are called to live holy and clean lives. We are to be living testimonies for others to read. (Ephesians 2:22; 1 John 3:24; 4:13, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Ø The Word of God is what renews our minds and changes us so that we become doers of the Word and not just hearers. Our bible needs to be our best friend. It has all the answers and comfort we need. (Romans 12:2, James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:50, Romans 14:4, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:165)

Ø We are no longer slaves to sin. The temptations in our life are no different from what others experience. God is faithful and will not allow the temptation to be more than we can stand. When we are tempted, he will show us a way out so that we can endure. (Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 10:13)

Ø All we need to do is seek God first and everything else will follow. We will change and our circumstances change as a result of seeking God’s face and spending time with Him. We’ll never be perfect until we get to heaven, but that’s still our goal. (Matthew 6:33, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:10-14)

Our Heavenly Father will continue the good work He started in us. He is going to be working on us daily if we allow Him to. God is our Heavenly Father who is constantly teaching us principles for living. He is preparing us daily for war against the enemy. He gives us tests and rewards. He is loving and protective over us. Our Heavenly Father will also discipline and chastise us. You are in a relationship with the Creator of Heaven and Earth because of Jesus’ loving sacrifice. Meditate on that daily. (Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:6, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-13)

So don’t be burdened by the idea of a religion. Take heart knowing that the Almighty God is your Heavenly Father who just wants to love and teach you. Allow Him to truly be Lord over your life and you will see that Jesus is truly The Way, The Truth, and The Life. (John 14:6)


Article from:

Christian Living Articles

Mission for Mr. Right

Waiting, Dating & Mating

Do You Think I'm Beautiful

Garbage In Garbage Out

The Good-O-Meter

What's Love Got To Do With It? Part 2

I Wish I Had A Mom!

What's Love Got To Do With It?

God's Will For Your Life

It's All About A Relationship

Jesus Freak!

Insults, Rumors & Gossip

Roots

Show Me A Sign!

Love Potion #O

Crooked Path Straight

Our Appearance

You Are Forgiven

Who Are You Really

Trusting Him Anyways!

Why We Suffer

10 Ways to Practice Purity