Monday, May 4, 2020

The Importance of Taking Our Thoughts Captive

Posted by Rachel on May 04, 2020 in Taking Thoughts Captive Series,

The Bible says we ought to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

The common question is, "how do we do it?" But have you ever asked "Why?" Why is it important to be aware of our thoughts?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Today's article focuses on the importance of making sure our thoughts are surrendered to Jesus. We need to establish a firm foundation on the strong effect our minds can have on us.

Why should we take our thoughts captive?

1. We have a daily battle against the devil's lies.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12

This verse reminds us that we struggle with the forces of evil who can whisper lies to us. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

We need to be aware of the thoughts that are swirling in our minds because they could be lies that can lead us away from the TRUTH. What is truth? Jesus is. The Bible is.

2. Sin starts with our minds.

"...but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:14-15

Now where does desire come from? That's right, from our minds. We start to think about something until gradually it consumes us and turns into desire and so on...

Paul says in Romans 1:12, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." There is a need for our minds to be purified and renewed.

Replacing the lies with God's Word

Your current pattern of thinking may look like this:

1. You hear the lies.

2. You believe the lies.

3. You confess it with your lips. (Ex. "Why did I do that I'm so stupid!")

But what happens when you replace it with this:

1. You hear God's Word.

2. You believe it & trust in God.

3. You confess His Word with your lips.

Sometimes the lies can hit like a bullet, so fast and damaging that you can't even catch your breath. But in the moment of hurt, try to pause and ask yourself: "Is this true?" "What does God say about this?"

My Testimony

For so long, I have struggled with the thoughts of my past. I could be doing something or just completely be absorbed in a hobby, then out of the blue a thought from my past would pop up! My body would then respond by cringing, clenching my fists, or abruptly closing my eyes tightly, as if that would make the though go away. It is a daily battle but I know that Jesus fights my battles with me.

I am learning to surrender my past to God. Surrender means wholly trusting in the power that God has to cleanse my mind. Fighting my thoughts by my own strength is completely exhausting. I need to TRUST in the power of God first, then take action. When the past comes creeping in, I tell myself, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Cor. 5:17)

Conclusion

Nothing beats the power of God's Word to combat the lies. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Next week, we will learn how we can soak up God's Word to help us in our thought life.

Reading Challenge

For this week, I challenge you to read these chapters:

2 Corinthians 10

1 Peter 5

Ephesians 6

Philippians 4

Psalm 91

After reading, pick a verse that speaks to you and write it on a piece of paper, a notebook, or an index card where you can look at it daily to memorize it.

Songs to Encourage you

Friday, May 1, 2020

Begin Again

Posted by Rachel on May 01, 2020 in Faith,

I love the idea of a new beginning; the chance to start over again with a clean slate. It feels refreshing and peaceful.

When I think of the month of May, I think of flowers in bloom while the butterflies roam around beckoning us to leap with faith as we begin again.

God says,

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

More often than usual, I have been battling with recollections of my past namely the embarrassing moments, the humiliation, the regrets, they all wash over me like pouring rain.

How do I forget?

Right now, I don't have the answer but I trust that the LORD is able to help me.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1

I am going to embrace this month with love, joy and hope. Moreover, I will welcome this month with forgiveness; for others and most especially for myself.

As for you, how will you step into the new month?

Sunday, May 5, 2019

How to Stop Lying {+Free Printable!}

Posted by Rachel on May 05, 2019 in Printables,

The world celebrated National Honesty Day last April 30. It got me thinking about the truth spoken by others which greatly inspired me and my mind also opened a bucket of all the lies I’ve been told.

I have met so many people who have told me one thing but eventually; I found out it wasn't the truth. It's disappointing but I have to ask myself, am I like this too?

There are moments I am not completely honest with myself and with others. Why is it sometimes easier to lie than to tell the truth?

For me, it's much easier to lie than to speak the truth when I am hiding something or if I know telling the truth will embarrass me. When we are dishonest, we can create stories and make up excuses to our benefit. But by being honest, we become vulnerable and expose ourselves to the raw truth. It is still dependable that the truth will set you free.

Only very few people remain absolutely honest and live life with integrity. They bring inspiration for others to have the courage to live an honest life.

What is honesty? Let's see what some of the wisest men has to say about it.

“Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.” ― James E. Faust

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” ― Albert Einstein

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” ― Thomas Jefferson

“Honesty is of God and dishonesty of the devil; the devil was a liar from the beginning.” ― Joseph B. Whirthlin

Why is it important to tell the truth?

First, let’s look at who we worship.

Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” John 14:6

God is not a man that He should lie. Numbers 23:19

Because he who is blessed in the earth will be blessed by the God of truth. Isaiah 65:16

The Lord detests lying lips, but delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22

Why does God hate lies?

Because satan is the father of lies!

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Who are we serving when we utter lies?

Definitely not Jesus.

Now that we know the importance of telling the truth, let’s discuss the steps we can take to stop the lying habit.

1. Read the Word.

“Father, sanctify them by your truth, because your word is truth.” John 17:17

We start by filling our minds and hearts up with the Scriptures. Reading the Bible is one of the best life-changing decisions you’ll ever make. God’s Word is powerful. When you soak yourself in the Bible, you will see for yourself that it is a sin to lie.

I have designed a 15 day Scripture Writing Plan that focuses on honesty.

You can grab a notebook to write these verses daily and memorize them! Or you can just read and memorize. When you fill your mind with the Bible, you will have a weapon to combat temptations to lie.

2. Confess and repent.

Once you recognize the weight of your sins, you will long for a Savior. God will lead you to repentance. When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

From this verse, we believe that God is FAITHFUL, JUST AND MERCIFUL. He has the power to wash away our filthiness and lies. God is able to give us a new heart.

3. Recognize WHY you lie.

Why do you lie? Are you ashamed, embarrassed, or protecting your pride? Is it a habit you inherited from your parents?

Once you know the reasons why you lie, it’s easier for you to design strategies to reverse your lifestyle. Be honest with God about the reasons why you lie. There may be underlying issues which cause you to be dishonest. Ask God to expose the root issues.

4. Practice telling the truth in every moment.

Ask yourself how you feel and answer honestly. When someone asks you a question, answer genuinely and see how it feels. Practice = progress. Progress is progress no matter how small.

5. Have the courage to be vulnerable.

Telling the truth will sometimes put you in a state of vulnerability. But there is strength in that. Would you rather protect yourself or please God?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

You might not know it, but the way you live your life in integrity may secretly inspire others. The truth will set you free. (and others too!)

This is a call to make you live a life of integrity. It takes courage and faith to be honest. But God can provide those for you when you ask Him to. After all, “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” William Shakespeare

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Graduating Without Honors, How Does it Feel?

Posted by Rachel on May 02, 2019 in College,

Disappointing.

Not for me, but for the people who expected so much from me. I know I have disappointed them. And it hurts. A lot.

My name on the yearbook will forever be without a title, without an honor to remember. When people would look at me, they wouldn’t think of me as smart because I don’t have a badge to prove it.

Did I want to graduate with honors? I have never really thought about it. I was busy living in the moment and surviving from the crippling lures of anxiety that I never really thought about it.

I guess you can say, it’s not important to me. That’s okay. But when I go out of my head and into reality, I realize that it is very very very important to people and to society. Yikes! I didn’t make it. What now?

Sometimes I would sit and think to myself, am I intelligent? Because lately, I have been feeling that I am not. However, when I look to Scripture I see that I am made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)

I am His child, whenever I ask for wisdom, He gives generously without finding fault.

(James 1:5)

True wisdom is not about gaining and storing facts inside your brain. “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” (James 3:17) That's the wisdom I aspire to have.

It is hard to stay positive when you are the only one encouraging yourself.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 42:11

I don’t have any achievement that would amaze people. However, I am still proud of myself for pushing through.

I am proud of myself for spending hours in the library, for going the extra mile to make everything a learning experience.

I am proud of myself for trying.

I am proud of myself for fighting back though the darkness of anxiety and depression occasionally

whirled around my thoughts.

I am proud of myself for my accomplishments.

I am proud of the failures.

I am proud of myself for waking up, getting dressed and going to school though I only had 2 hours of sleep.

I am proud of myself for living even though

I felt so scared of the world.

I am proud of myself for learning how to be independent; for making friends, for understanding, forgiving, and making memories.

I am not going to apologize because I did not make the cut.

I will not think of myself less because I don’t have a medal hanging around my neck.

I will meditate on God’s Words of life instead of listening to what others say about me.

I am not enough. God is.

I am loved because God is love.

I could have tried harder, but I don’t want to live life with regrets.

I know I have learned so many lessons that cannot be contained

in pieces of papers.

I won’t let myself be defined by a grade nor a medal.

I won’t stop learning.

Monday, April 15, 2019

How To Declutter In A Christian Manner

Posted by Rachel on April 15, 2019 in

I heard about Marie Kondo's style of organizing and uncluttering years ago. Implementing her system of folding was useful for my closet's benefit. This year Marie Kondo became much more popular when she had her own show on Netflix.

However, there have been some speculations about her methods whether we as Christians should adhere to the steps she gives.
There is a Christian-friendly alternative to that. A book by Melody Carlson, Devotions for Clutterers, provides powerful insights about clutter, which are taken from a Biblical perspective.

When you are disputing with yourself whether or not to throw something out, she provides tips by asking yourself four questions։

1. Does anyone use this?
2. Do I enjoy having this in my life?
3. Does this have sentimental value?
4. I've got more than one of these, do I really need them all?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, then you should probably keep the item. Definitely so grateful for this book because it is like being taken on a journey filled with hope that I can fix the clutter in my home. I have started cleaning, simply by starting with my dresser. It's a small step but it did wonders for my spirit.

Whenever I see clutter, I feel stressed. The chaos and disorganization fill my heart with frustration. The clutter inside my room would often discourage me but when I took steps to organize and clean, it filled my heart with peace. For so long, I have wondered why but the answer lies in the Bible,

"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14։33

A simple step taken to organize stuff can do so much for one's peace and happiness. Will you take a step today? What's your declutter story?

**This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase the book, I earn a small commission but with no additional cost to you!

Monday, April 8, 2019

Lessons Learned From Nature

Posted by Rachel on April 08, 2019 in

I love to spend my afternoons sitting at the porch; looking up to the blue sky, feeling the wind on my face and the grass upon my feet. Blooming flowers captivate my eyes and the sway of the sturdy trees gives me peace. The sound of birds singing makes me smile. As my dogs run around and play, I sense deep gratitude for God’s creation. These are pieces of evidence of God’s beauty and most of all, of His love

He could have created the world dull by making everything of the same color, but He filled nature with wonderful hues. He wanted us to see a glimpse of His majesty and splendor.

Whenever I spend time out in nature, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness in providing. He clothes the flowers, feeds the birds, provides sunshine for the trees, makes the wind blow for coolness, etc. He created each insect for a purpose and cares for them. If God can take care of animals and plants how much more of me, oh how little is my faith! (Matthew 6:26-34)

There are about 391,000 plant species in the world. And there are approximately 1.2 million known species of animals, but scientists estimate there are closer to 8.7 million species on earth. Scientists have only documented 14% of living species.

By having quality time in nature, I become much more aware of God’s beauty in creating variety. There is no need to compare. Each plant thrives on its own and blooms where it is planted. It trusts the purpose God has bestowed upon it. Reminds me of the song from Jewel, entitled What You Are.

The trees bear fruit in its season. It doesn’t always bear good fruit. For me, the fruits represent the consequences of our actions and the fruits of our faith. (fruits of the spirit) In Psalm 1:1-3 we are likened to a tree,

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

We blossom like a flower and then wither. (Job 14:2) What is our life but a breath here on earth? God is in control. He is our Father! Why not spread out your wings and fly for His cause? Why not give your heart out to serve people in the name of Jesus? Time is gold because I don’t have forever to do God’s work. This present moment is what I got.

Observing nature has taught me a valuable lesson about patience. Plants don’t grow in a second just like we don’t grow right away. Christian maturity is a process that we go through day by day.

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45) Whatever weather (challenges) may come, as long as our roots are founded in Christ so will we grow in His knowledge and grace, and we will continue to do so until the end of time.

I hope we never take for granted, the opportunities we have every day to learn from nature.

I hope we take time to stop and stare at the blue sky or the twinkling stars, always in awe of God’s wonder.

I hope that when we see a breathtaking sunset; we bow our hearts in worship to God.

I hope that whenever we see a flower bloom; we whisper a prayer of gratitude to the Creator.

In a digital world, I hope you never lose sight of the precious gifts God has given us through nature.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Amazed By A Relentless God

Posted by Rachel on March 31, 2019 in College, Faith, Personal,

Along with the piling obligations and requirements of a graduating student, the stress is building up too. I can’t grasp how I turned to this place of desolation and despair.

Upcoming finals, deadlines, and the constant replaying of my first job interview rejection, broke the shell of the sleeping anxiety inside my core. It has been ages since I read my Bible. I am certain I compromised somewhere down the road. I prioritized other things until my mind concluded that reading the Bible wasn’t so important.

For months, emptiness continues to fill my life as I search for fulfillment. I lay in bed so desperate for God. I want to find Him, run to Him and sink into His arms but I can’t make myself do it. My days bear nothing but exhaustion, so I fall asleep without even praying.

To be honest, I am a miserable person standing in this desert longing for living water. This experience, made me realize what life is without Jesus. Loneliness overtakes your soul and your heart is being crushed to pieces day by day. Hopelessness overtakes. My only hope is God.

The closest I could get to keep my faith going are my two prayer books. These days, whenever I open it each morning, the prayer is perfect for the plight I am facing! I trust God orchestrates moments such as this. You might say it’s a coincidence but I know otherwise.

Again, a YouTube video popped up about the case I was pondering on. Scriptures may not attract me anymore, so He approaches me in different ways. I want to cry because of His love and faithfulness. I am such a fool for putting anything else above the Lord. He is the One who can satisfy my soul. Others may give temporary relief at the surface, but it is Jesus who can perceive through the depths of me and grant healing.

At present, my spirit asks for conviction and strength to read the Word of God. I trust that the Holy Spirit would ease my soul. God is love. This is so true. He is so merciful enough to make His presence known.

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

Micah 7:8-9