True Religion

You know all social networking sites ask you about your “religious beliefs.” I find this very interesting and as I scroll down all the different religions I think how many people are not finding out the truth about God. I do not look down at these people or shun them. I see these people as ones that need Christ. In James 1 this isn’t exactly what James was talking about…he was talking about are you living out what your learn, say, read, etc.

But for a Christian what is true religion? For me its having the right heart and the right relationship with Jesus Christ. Its not just talking the talk—saying all the right things, but it is also about walking the talk. There is the well know saying “You can talk the talk and you can walk the walk but your walk talks louder than your talks talk.” This quote for me applies to James 1:26-27. James was warning the church not to practice false religion. Many of the people were being religious by going to church, saying the right things…but were they doing the right things? Do I leave my “religion” in my pew on Sundays and Wednesday then turn around and not do anything about it? Do I leave what I read in the Scriptures in my house and not do anything about it? I have to admit sometimes I do…like with the whole witnessing thing I say I should do it but I do not really hand out tracts and share Christ with others. When i am talking the talk but not walking the walk I am practicing a false religion---I am being hypocritical. May my life not show hypocrisy…I want my life to show Christ.

Having a Humble Heart

Humbleness is a quality that all Christians should have. Humbleness shows us the love we have for God and the willingness to learn what He teaches. In James 1:21, James writes “Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls.
Unsaved people when they receive Christ as their Savior should lay aside old habits and sin. This will truly show that they want a new life in Christ.
Christians should keep filthiness and sin out of their lives. Sin separates us from God.
When reading God’s Word we should all take the time to read and study God’s Word. We should take the time to “engraft” God’s Word in our heart. Just as a gardener engrafts a new branch on a tree. I should plant God’s Word in my heart and make it part of my life just as the branch comes part of the tree.
Meekness to me also means being humble. Having a meek and willing spirit to make God’s Word part of my life…seeing the changes that I may need to make in my life. I need to make sure I am humble when going to God’s Word – willing to learn whatever He wants me to—in order to that I need to make sure I lay apart the things that will hinder my relationship with God (like face book) =) 

Thinking of a new title for my blog

So I have been thinking about changing my Blog Title to something else than "Rebecca's Thoughts"
Readers if you have any ideas for a creative title please share! =)

So I've been reading through the book of James this week...I am still on the first 12 verses of chapter one. I am trying to study each verse. It has been a blessing and the Lord sure is teaching me a lot. Once I get to verse 12 I will post it on my blog. 
Life in God's Word has been great and I am hoping this eagerness to read the Bible and study it will stay all year long! =)

God is Good (Again)

Being a Christian school teacher lets just say I do not make a lot of money...I live paycheck by paycheck most of the time. I was praying and thinking of some ways to earn extra money. Then Thursday my administrator came to me to ask if I would like to tutor someone after school! YES I said! So I now have  little bit extra income coming in...God is good for providing my needs!

One week down...maybe three more to go =)

So at the beginning of January I decided to have a "facebook fast." It sure has been hard NOT to get on every moment that I have free. I lasted a week...well not even an entire week without the social network. I FINALLY asked a good friend to help me change me password and NOT to give it to me until February 14th. I told her if I ask before then NOT to let me have it.

So how has my life been without facebook you ask? calm...peaceful....more time to get things done. 

Talking more to REAL people...seeing how they are doing without checking fb...

I will eventually get back on but for now...I am not really missing it as much as I thought!

Exciting THings...and praying really hard

So at 7:27 am my brain isn't quite as creative about titles...funny isnt't it? =)
Well I do have an update! I went to the plastic surgeon on MOnday and he said that the surgery on my nose is a medical need. He noticed that my breathing in being obstructed and that the nuerofibroma is growing back.  He said removing the entire thing will make my nose collapse but that it is possible to rebuild my nose by using carteledge from the tip of my nose and behind my ear. The main thing to pray for is that insurance will see that this is more of a medical need than a cosmetic need.

I am excited about the possibilities!

Psalm 5

Prayer is such a powerful thing. I am so thankful to have a God who always answers and listens when I call on Him. I can talk to God and do not have to worry about people ignoring what I am saying, turning around, and best of all I don't have to worry about someone coming to interrupt time to talk to my Best Friend. So many times I take the opportunity to pray for granted.
God is always there to listen and to hear me when I pray to Him. He actually awaits for me to come to Him.  I need to make sure I talk to God constantly. I am so thankful that I can come to God about anything...my fears, my hopes, and my dreams I can share with God. He won't sit back and laugh or think I am weird when I share the tiniest things with Him...He cares and He listens. He is my BEST FRIEND...He is a God that loves me and He will never fail me like humans can..

vs 4-6 God hares evil and does not tolerate dwelling and taking His place. He will not tolerate me being foolish and making unwise choices. God cannot stand lying. Application: If I want to be closer to God I need to make sure my life is free from any unconfessed sin and that I am always telling the truth...not only to God but to myself and to others around me.

vs. 7 I need to come to God with a humble heart.
vs.8 God will always lead me in the right way- I need to follow Him
vs 9 my enemies will try to make :"their way" look good---my enemies are not faithful. I look and think about this at at the same time my friends can become people who draw me further away from God. I need to make sure my friends are people who draw me closer to God and help me with my relationship with Him. The most faithful friend is God and he will never fail me.  vs 11-12 I need to make sure people to cause me to fall....I need to trust God and ask Him to help me do what is right. Even though at times it may be hard to do right I will be blessed if I do what God wants me to do.

Psalm 3

As I go throughout life there will be troubles, there will be people that will rise up and tell me that God cannot help me, that if there were a God that this wouldn't have happened. How wrong those people are...God can help me and God is in control. How thankful I am that I have a God that is always there and a God that I can always go to. Whenever I pray to God He will hear me. How thankful I am that I have a God that listens.
People can come against me, but with God's help I can keep from falling in their trap. God will sustain me (keep me from falling).

Psalm 2

Serving the Lord is a great opportunity for the Christian and something that should not be taken lightly. Some people "serve" to be recognized...some people serve for the right reasons~ for the Lord. I look at me life and think do I really SERVE the Lord the way I should? Am I serving Him because I know I have to? Am I serving Him in the school to get a paycheck and pay my bills? This passage really spoke to me about how I need to serve the Lord. I need to serve the Lord with reverence. I need to do everything for Him. I need to humbly bow before Him each day of my life and do what I do for the Lord...it makes life much more meaningful and my work more worth it in the end.  I also need to serve with trembling.  Now I do not know exactly what the writer meant by this. Trembling can mean several things. I need to serve the Lord with fear....not fear of those around me but fear of the reasons I serve perhaps? OR the first thought that came to my mind...serving the Lord with excitement! I know when I am excited about something I jump and and down, I squeal, I clap my hands. I need to serve the Lord with all the excitement that is in me.
This passage also mentioned putting my trust in God. I will be blessed when I trust God. I need to make sure I take refuge in God and lean on Him...the way to lean on Him is by "stay{ing} upon Him...by reading His Word each and every day.

So while I was reading my Bible a few evenings ago I had a thought..that is more than a fear.
When I read things it takes me awhile to catch on to what the writer it trying to say. I then began to think what if I take this passage out of context? I prayed and asked the Lord to teach me what He wants me to know and to help me understand and apply the scripture. It may take me awhile but I want to make sure as I study and read God's Word I get the clear meaning of the passage.

Update!

I have been praying about doing something for a long time now...lets say two years. I have been praying about weather or not to have surgery done on my nose. My mindset has been that its fine how it looks and thats how God made me. But, I have to admit I am not even happy with the look of the nose God gave me. I hate going out in public...I always made the excuse that I like to stay home. The real reason I do not like people looking at me...staring in fact. I don't like the questions asked.

Some dear friends suggested I get some "work" done on my nose. I told them I was happy with it- but I look back and think that I really wasn't and haven't been. Thankfully I have accepted the fact that God made me like this for a reason. It took a older lady on visitation asking me what was wrong with my face to look into having surgery done again. 

SO, when I went to the doctor to get some ringworm checked on my face I happened to ask her about having surgery. She then referred me to a neurologist. It took me a whole month to muster up enough courage to go. I went at the beginning of this year and told him that I am concerned about my health and what the nerofibroma can do in the future. We had a good talk..thankfully a good friend of mine went to my appointment with me. The neurologist then referred me to a plastic surgeon! The day after my appointment the plastic surgeon called to set up an appointment!!! I go Monday...I am excited and nervous at the same time. I know my face will never be perfect...which is fine..We all have our own imperfections...if we didn't the world would defiantly be boring. =) I am made in God's sight and thankful for that. I am also thankful that the Lord seems to be working everything out in His own timing. I am learning to wait on the Lord during this process...and can't wait to see what happens! I am even praying for the opportunity of maybe witnessing and sharing my testimony to my doctors! What a great privilege that will be!

Please pray as I am going throughout the process...esp. the insurance part of it. Which I am going to ask my pastor and his wife to help me figure out that part of it =0

Well cherrio for now! Thanks for reading my post! 

A friend and I met with Mrs. Masitto weeks ago about doing a Bible study. She encouraged both of us to keep some type of journal while doing our Bible study. I have always been a writer...writing is easier for me than speaking. I can get my feelings and thoughts on paper better than verbal words. Surprisingly, I am a quite sort of person at times...I have a hard time sharing my thoughts and heart with people...I think that is why I talk so much at times I just do not know what to say. Writing is my way of getting the things in my head and on my heart on paper.

I had a teacher in high-school and one teacher in particular in college that inspired me to write more. I have to admit this blog is hard to keep up with and there are times that I have felt like deleting it since I do now know if any one ever reads it anyway! =D

So just another thought for the night...I wonder who actually reads this blog I write. Please feel free to comment on my posts. I want my blog to be a blessing to you.

God is Good

What can I say...three simple words... GOD IS GOOD!

Just had to say that tonight! GOD IS GOOD!!!!