The Assurance of Salvation

By Carole

I just read an excellent testimony of a woman who thought she was saved (http://www.lockwoodfamilytomexico.com/2010/10/my-testimony.html). Then I recently listened to a clip of Charo Washer, Pastor Paul Washer's wife, who also recently came to know the Lord. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_VtvHMJpiU). This leads me to ask the following questions:

Am I really saved?

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)."

Based on the fact that many Americans are professing Christians, it is easy to think that a one-time profession of faith in Christ makes a person a Christian. But this is not true. I've questioned my own faith many times. Here are some keys to self-examination that I've found helpful.

Look at your present life in Christ, not past decisions. How is your walk today?

Do you feel remorse or anguish when you sin?

Do you desire to read God's word and pray to Him often?

The thought of Christ's return fills you with which emotion: dread, indifference, or joy?

These are basic questions that I think we should all constantly ask ourselves. If you think you may not know Him, fall on you face before Him right now and pour your heart out to Him. "He who comes to me I will in no way cast out." (John 6:37) Just like Jesus turned to the thief on the cross, and said: today you will be with Me in paradise, we can have this kind of assurance of salvation. Romans 8:16 says "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

Answering our Kids' Big Questions

By Carole

Have you ever wondered how to respond to children when they ask deep philosophical questions about God. My niece often asks tough questions about God- like who made Him? Why do bad things happen? Where does God live? I'm often confronted with frustration. I don't know how to answer her questions on her age level. She doesn't understand the abstract nature of "first cause" and "eternal". So how do we answer?

1. Teaching not debating. Remember that children are much more trusting than we are and your answers do not need to be defended as much. You're not talking with an athiest who already has a world view in tow.

Example: Mommy, who made God? Good question sweetie. No one made God, God has always been alive, he was not created. Wow! Yes, this is what we mean by "eternal"...

2. Address the question and your child. Why are they asking the questions, what made them think about these things? Like with us, there is often a "big event" or some conversation with a friend that spawns the question.

Example: Mommy, why do people get hurt? Because sin is in the world, bad things can happen to people. But God is in control of everything that happens, and He has a good reason behind everything. So even when Susie broke her arm at school, God was there.

3. If you don't know the answer, say that you don't know. Then study together with your child to find it. Honesty is very important to keeping your child's trust.

4. Do not allow yourself to be defensive. Remember the truth can be questioned, and should be. Allow your children to ask the questions so they can see the truth for themselves.

5. The Bible is key. Make sure that they see your answers are coming from scripture. Use the Bible verses with them that address the question, always teaching them from the Bible. It's so important that they know you are not making up the answers.

6. Encourage the questions. Often ask questions to your child to encourage them to think about their own questions.

Example: Do you know who made the stars? Why did God make the sun?

7. Ask God to give you wisdom. It's okay to not know all the answers, but we should be constantly seeking the Lord, and studying the scripture to learn of Him and know Him.

8. Relationship above intellectual pursuit. Make sure that the goal is not to have all the questions answered, but to come to a deep and meaningful knowledge of our Savior and God. Remember we cannot know God comprehensively but we can know Him satisfactorily.

9. Enjoy the discussion. If the talk becomes frustrating for you or your child, change the subject. Do not continue in frustration, because this can only make things worse.

10. Be Christ-like in your example. The greatest apologetic is how you live before your children. If they see you reflecting Christ and spending time with Him, they will not doubt the sincerity of your belief.

Self denial and a Fulfilled Life

By Carole

Self-denial is commonly misrepresented as not enjoying any physical pleasure. But the Lord has recently shown me that this isn't it at all. Self-denial does mean that we can only eat foods that don't taste good, or avoid nice walks on the beach. It means that the enjoyment of a physical pleasure but rather the means to glorify God. If I eat a delicious meal, I should not look to the meal as the source of pleasure, but to the God who made the food and my taste buds.

Author and apologist, Ravi Zacharias, made an interesting point in this regard. He mentions that there are legitimate pleasures and illegitimate pleasures. The latter are obvious, sinful deeds that the Lord works out of us (best described as things that we could not possibly do to the glory of God). But there are many legitimate pleasures that can quickly become illegitimate. Ravi Zacharias uses the example of King David who desired a drink of water from his well. Three of his men sneak to get him the water, and he refuses to drink it. He instead pours it out before the Lord. (2 Samuel 23:16). Why doesn't he drink it? The desire for water obviously isn't wrong, but the fact that it put his men in danger, and they needed to finish fighting the battle.

Like David, we need to evaluate our desires and allow the Holy Spirit to decide if it needs to be poured out before the Lord, or if we can glorify the Lord through it. Remember that God created our minds, bodies, and emotions. He gave us the ability to taste and see and feel in our bodies, the ability to appreciate and enjoy and think in our minds.

How Shall We Then Live?

By Carole

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matt 7:14

Christ calls us to life, true life. But, as He says in Matt 7:14 "there are few who find it." If Christ wants us to have life, why are there so few who find it? Doesn't everyone want "abundant life"? Yes, of course. But as the Lord is breaking me this week, I'm finding that this life is in Spirit, not in flesh. As I am in so much pain physically, I am closer to Him than I was before. I have the life in my Spirit, as my flesh is weak. Even as a Christian, I can easily slip onto the broad path. We enter in through the narrow door, then live comfortable lives of ease and prosperity, never stepping out or confronting our deepest fears. We then do not live the life He has called us to.

So, as Francis Schaeffer asked, "How should we then live?"

Christ tells us exactly in the beatitudes: (my study bible offers a great insight to each characteristic that I have included)

Poor in Spirit- humility, stripped of pride and sensitive to God's Spirit

Mournful- responsive to personal sinfulness and tender-hearted toward one another

Meek- strength under control, confidence in God rather than in self

Hunger and thirst for righteousness- yearning for God and His word

Merciful- compassion, quick to forgive and considerate of others' needs

Pure in heart- Holiness, set-apart

Peacemaker- forbearance instead of retaliation

Persecuted for righteousness sake- steadfast loyalty to God that cannot be broken

Reviled by others- willingness to endure suffering, not in bondage to the fear of man

New book from Joni Eareckson Tada

The Purpose of Pain and Suffering

By Carole

I have a severe knee problem - dislocating knee cap- that was made worse after labor and delivery. Running around my home after a toddler, and caring for a newborn has it's own challenges. But now I have a lot of pain, and I can't walk normally. This caused me to cry out for God's strength, and led me to the following question:

Why does God use pain and suffering?

It easy to say that God has a purpose in pain and suffering, especially when you're not in pain. I always believed this- and I still do- but now in the midst of the struggle, I find myself asking why. Why does use pain and suffering? Why can't he use the comfortable easy path? The Lord is showing me that it's because of the war against our flesh.

God loved Jacob, so He wrestled with him and broke him. God loved the Israelites, so He made them wander in the dessert. God loved Paul, so He blinded Him on the road to Damascus. God loved the world, so He sent His Son to suffer and die and take our punishment, the atoning sacrifice- as it is written, "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered..." (Heb 5:8)

Suffering is the tool the Lord uses on earth to bring us to Himself, and to make us more and more like Him. Our flesh is still sinful, so it must be conquered. More and more I'm seeing how blessed I am when I'm weak, because His strength is so much stronger than mine.

Consider the following verses:

"Woe to you who are rich , for you have received your consolation." (Luke 6:24)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)

"Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry." (Luke 6:25)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matt 5:6)

"Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep." (Luke 6:25)
"Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." (Luke 6:21)

May the Lord continue to break us, working in us the fellowship of His suffering, that we may be conformed to His beautiful image.

A New Start

Sorry for not posting for so long. I just gave birth to my second child, Naomi Zyana on August 13. My oldest is seventeen months, so I'm pretty busy:) Children are such precious blessings from God, and I'm seeing how he's using them both to sanctify me more and more each day, making me more like Him. I'm learning a lot about patience and realizing how much God's word and Spirit are sufficient for my daily walk.

A few words of encouragement that helped me today-

The way is narrow (Matthew 7) which means there is only one way to walk it- seeking Him daily, hourly, moment by moment. There are many ways of the path, leaning to our own understanding. But if we stay on the narrow path, we will find rest. In Him is life and peace.

Veggie Tales "Dave and the Giant Pickle" was another unexpected source of encouragement :) Bob the Tomato shares that with God all things are possible, meaning whatever God wants you to do, you can do. Simple wisdom for children taught me profoundly that I can rely on Him to give me the ability to be a Godly wife and mother.

I hope this was encouraging to you -

In Christ,
Carole