Too Much Holiness Can Be a Bad Thing

You probably read that title and thought to yourself, what in the world is that supposed to mean?

Well. It's not what you think, really!

What i'm talking about is sometimes when an individual is getting closer to God, He begins to bless them. They begin to see Him work in their lives in amazing ways and they themselves see change. But unfortunately, sometimes that's when pride creeps in. You begin to think "Look how much more Godly I am than her! Oh boy, he's sure going off the deep end." "I bet I could help, maybe my holiness will rub off on them." Not many people realize that when you begin to think you are "holier" than everyone else in your life, that's a flat out sin. God is blessing your life because you have gotten closer to him, but how can you expect Him to be proud of you when you take it upon yourself to take all the credit?
That's why you may hear some Christ-followers saying "To God be the glory!" all the time. They realize that whenever something is going good, it is all because of God. He is the ONLY one who should get the credit.

This post was inspired while i was reading "What Happens When Women Pray" by Evelyn Christenson. She was talking about how while she was learning how to pray with a group of women, God was revealing their hidden "Christian" sins they needed to repent from.

During this time they were studying Psalm 66:18 which read, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Meaning, if you have any hidden sins, even the littlest of ones that you are not repenting from, the Lord will not hear your prayers. So God had revealed them to this group of ladies including Evelyn.

Here is an excerpt from the book of Evelyn asking one of the ladies a few years later about the major sins God had revealed:

"Singe, what specific sins do you remember from those six weeks of Psalm 66:18 back in 1964?" I asked. 

"The main one I remember," she replied immediately, "was our superior attitude concerning our spiritual status compared to others, and the idea that we should pray for them. God showed us that this attitude was sin." (pg.34) 

 Isn't that amazing? Personally, as I have been growing in the Lord, I've been cleaning up my life little by little. While reading this, I felt convicted because I knew I have thought that in my mind before. How easily we can compare spiritual status to superiority!

When we find ourselves plagued with this kind of thinking, ask God to help you repent of the attitude, and see things through his eyes! We want to be selfless, not full of pride. We are equal in ALL ways in His eyes.




 If you would like to read/buy the book i have mentioned above, look up "What Happens When Women Pray" by Evelyn Christenson on the internet. It's a great, worthwhile read! (Not just for women either.) 

Heart Change

In this post I want to talk about something that is a big issue in the world of Christianity today.

Personally, this is something I have struggled with, and now my eyes have been opened to see how it affects so many others both young and old.

I'll start this off with a little story.

     Haley sat in her room, packing her bags for a week of summer camp that her friend Carrie invited her too. This was a bible camp and Haley was a bit nervous, since she's never been to a camp like this. Yeah, she went to church and everything but she doesn't really care about the whole God thing. It seems a bit weird to her, trusting in someone in the sky who you can't see. Besides, all her other friends never talked about God, and they seemed like they were living perfectly fine lives without Him. Carrie was her only Christian, God-loving friend. There was something about her that attracted Haley and she liked hanging out with her. She was off to camp. Little did she know she was up for an amazing week. She ended up accepting Jesus into her heart and truly understood what it meant for Him to die on the cross. She was so excited to tell everyone when she got back home! 

Sound familiar? Well, what i didn't tell you is that as soon she got home her spiritual high only lasted for about a week. She started feeling miserable. She kept listening to the same old secular, unsatisfying music even though she knew in her heart maybe she shouldn't. She kept watching her vulgar TV shows, even the ones that seemed to have a positive message toward same-sex relationships. Besides everyone else was doing it! She kept texting the same boy that was interested in her, and called her all these sweet names and made her feel great...although sometimes he would pressure her into things she didn't want to be involved with. Her parents weren't much help either. They kept arguing with each other and arguing with her. Haley felt so unhappy.

How could she be so unhappy? I mean she just accepted God into her heart, and he's supposed to change your life forever, right? You might ask. Well yes, that is correct, but unfortunately Haley did what most young, and even older first-time Christians do. They accept God into their heart and they proudly 'wear' it as if it's some accessory. "Hey, look at this new relationship with Christ i have. It makes me feel so awesome!" They tell everyone about the "fact" that it happened, but they don't realize that it takes more than just talking about it. It takes a heart change.


My previous youth pastor would use marriage as an example of this. He said if he talked with his wife about how awesome their wedding day was with her over and over and over she would get pretty sick of it. He said if while he was married if all he would talk about was the wedding and how great it was, how could they work on the marriage itself? What happens when you have a fight? Oh it's no big deal, do you remember how awesome the wedding was? We loved each other so much then. No. If someone just reflected on the wedding day, the marriage would go no where, because you're not focusing on the fundamental, long-lasting aspects that make a marriage work. This is the same for people who have gained a new relationship with Christ. If all they did was talk about how "amazing" accepting Him into their life was, and not doing anything to make it work, they lose it. Which sadly, is what happens more often than not to many individuals. 


You see, what people don't realize is that you can't just "add" Jesus Christ onto your life, you must convert him into your life. This, as i said earlier, takes heart change, You must be willing to change the way you live life, and throw out the sin. How can someone even call themselves followers of Christ if they simply continued living a sinful life? This then leads to people falling away from Christ, getting miserable, unhappy or even depressed. 

In Revelation Chapter 2 Jesus tells us not to abandon our first love. He is our first love. "The first love which characterized the Ephesians was the zeal and ardor with which they embraced their salvation as they realized they loved Christ because He first loved them (1 John 4:19) and that it was in fact His love for them that had made them “alive together with Christ." '(www.gotquestions.org) 

Revelation 2:4-5 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

If you realize you are falling away and you need him, you need to repent! But don't half-heartedly repent, you must mean it with all your being and continue on the path to knowing our Lord! No one can truly 'know' every aspect of our Lord. There is an infinite amount of things about him we have the opportunity to find out. How can someone just "add" God into their life, fall away and go back to the evil, worldy ways, then come back again? They will be babies in the faith forever! They need to move on in their relationship and learn the secrets of the Almighty! My prayer for the people who are struggling with this, which is many of the youth today (especially with the unceasing technological advances) is that their "lampstand" would be set ablaze and they would truly fear Christ! This is a generation full of gifts, and the gifts need to be used to glorify the Creator.

John 15:1-5

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ..."

Listen to what Jesus said. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, and neither can you, unless you abide in Him. A person cannot grow in their relationship with Christ and "bear fruit" if they are not spending time with him. It is so simple, just to get alone in the secret place with the Almighty and just soak in his presence. Even if you're new to it. Pick up the bible and start reading, pray with him! Ask him to speak to you and show you his glory. He wants to bear fruit within you, will you abide in him? Remember, don't "add" Christ to your life, make your heart ready for him and accept the change. Your life is supposed to change when you accept him into your heart! Change what needs changing, and get into his presence.

Lord God, I pray for anyone who may be struggling with what i just wrote about today. I pray that you would release your Holy presence over them and convict them. That you would call them to You, and they would be made anew by the works of your hands. For they are the clay, and you are the potter. Beckon the lost ones to You. Open up this generations' eyes and give them an unquenchable thirst for You and Your Word. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

         

Feelings

Feelings are the most controlling, deadliest things we possess as humans.

This is the dreadful area where the devil uses his deceiving ways to lure us away from God. I admit the issue with following your feelings instead of God is something i struggle with everyday, and i bet many others do to.
     Since it's summer i've been telling myself that i'm going to get up early and exercise to keep healthy. More times than i want, i give in to my sleepy body when it whispers "No, stay in bed Rachel! Don't get all sweaty and tired!" Satan uses this just the same like when you're home alone, or even have time on your hands and you know you should read your bible but instead he whispers "Are you sure? Look what's on TV today, check your Facebook!"

Something inspiring i read the other day, was a status by Chad Graham from the Chrisitan pop band, Anthem Lights.

"The Christian walk isn't about what you "feel". Satan uses your "feelings" against you. Ignore your "feelings" telling you not to spend time in the word today. Ignore those "feelings" telling you that you'd rather sleep or watch TV. God never said this walk would be easy... But man is it rewarding. I'll be the 1st one to raise my hand and admit I battle my "feelings" everyday. WHY is it that when I win that battle. I feel amazing the rest of the day. Yet I STILL have to battle my "feelings" the next day even though I know how rewarding it is when I win that battle. Why? It's simple. Satan. It's one of his many tools he uses against us. Ignore those "feelings" he uses against you. You are called to grow.. As a woman or man of God, you must win that battle Satan throws at you everyday. Start today. No more excuses."

Now, don't get me wrong, feelings can be an incredible thing! They're great when you use them for what they're intended for. But if you start to let your feelings get the best of you, then you slowly slip from God's plan he has for you.

 Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" 

God says we must not "follow our heart", but that is a mindset of the world we live in today. If we all followed our feelings, our lives would be a disaster! When it comes to staying pure for marriage, a person, both boy and girl, must keep a tight reign on his or her feelings. The main aspect behind purity is controlling your feelings and giving them to God.
  When i complain about something and say "I don't feel like it" my mother constantly reminds me that i'm not to let my life be ruled by my feelings. Many don't 'feel' like going to work, but in fact if they didn't, they wouldn't be earning a living. My youth pastor spoke the other day on the difference between a slave and servant. A slave is ruled by an "I have to" attitude whereas the servant is ruled by an "I get to" attitude. Us as Christians should always have an attitude of a servant, because God calls us to be servants!

"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12:26 

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28  

Above are just a few of the many times he talks about being a servant. We must want to humble ourselves, ignore our feelings, and be a servant for Christ. When it comes to sharing Christ with others we must ignore the feelings telling us to keep walking, not to talk to the person that's lost because it will be "awkward" for you. In many situations of life, God wants us to listen to HIM not our feelings which the devil twists.

So what about you? I know i need to work on this area in my life big time. We need to help others with this issue too! God never said this walk will be easy, everyday we must take up the cross, forget our feelings, and humble ourselves completely before Him. Don't let the feelings get the best of you. Ask yourself, am i listening to God or my feelings?

Notes...

(From Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge.)

Secret of Radical Obedience


- We hear, then we do.

James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the Word, & so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." 

-Radical obedience = immediate obedience.
-Starts by sitting at his feet and hearing his Word.
** Until you attend this responsibility first, you will be constantly frustrated in being unable to uncover the joys of radical obedience.

Benefits of radical obedience:
1.) Obedience unlocks eternally abundant life.
2.) Obedience brings the gaze of God. (upon you)
3.) Obedience produces greater intimacy with God.
4.) Obedience builds unshakable foundations.

-No one is exempt from the storms that come. Will YOU survive? Is your foundation strong enough?

- The closer you get with God the more obedient you must be!!
What is God's command?

Secret of Rapid Repentance


- the devout constantly test themselves for spiritual fervor, alertness, faithfulness, purity, love, obedience, growth in grace...etc.
-Become a good repenter!
- the only way to move in God is through repentance.
- need to continually repent.
- ready repentance opens the channels of intimate communion with God.
- be quick to confess your unbelief and hardness of heart.

~ repenting from your iniquities - hidden faults that we don't see.
Such as pride, rebellion, unbelief, envy, selfishness, ambition, and covetousness.
WE NEED GOD'S HELP TO SEE THEM!
 * Repentance becomes an opportunity to turn from things that have been hindering love; becomes the key to greater intimacy with God.

Deepen your relationship with him!!!

The Presence of Influence

I guess it's about time i put in an actual post, huh? I agree.

Okay. So i thought i would start off this post about something that's impacted me greatly in these past few months. This thing that has impacted me is influence. The influence of other strong, fired up, Christians. I can honestly say that the impact that a spirit-filled individual has on others is immense.
      When i went to winter camp during February of this year, my youth group and another went together. Little did i know just how much these few people could change my perspective on things!
 This weekend getaway was only 2 nights, just to put that in perspective. I was basically not too excited to go, but i knew my relationship with God was a bit dry and distant. Not where i wanted it to be. I had been struggling for months on end on how to change my attitude, and mend my relationships with loved ones. (I was constantly losing it and breaking down and doing the same thing over and over and getting upset about it. Let me tell you, it was very frustrating!)
   So, at our first evening chapel, i noticed something that caught my eye. When it was time for worship, my youth group gathered up into a big group next to each other, and the other youth group spread out and got their own spaces to themselves. I couldn't help myself but look around at all the other kids during the worship. Almost everyone of them had their eyes closed, were on their knees, or just lost in complete worship. I thought,  wow. Now why aren't we doing that? It really moved me. I just wanted to get out from where i was and get my own space. One of the girls particularly caught my eye. I knew she didn't know me very well, and neither did i know she. Once it was long into worship, everyone was gathering into groups and just praying or singing together. I went to the girl that caught my eye and saw that she was balling her eyes out. It was either because the presence of God was so great on her, or something was wrong. I decided to just put my hands on her, and coax her and pray. After a while, she took my hand and prayed over me, which was just what i needed. I knew this girl had so much more in her relationship than i did, and i have to admit at that time i was a bit jealous. She just seemed so perfect, seemed like she had it all under control and her words were like gold when it came to talking about God and the Word. I wanted to be just like her! I think i just felt so insecure about myself, and i couldn't stand how i called myself a Christian but i felt i wasn't really showing my love at all.
     I think it was that point that my whole perception of everything flip flopped. This girl ended up being in my cabin which i liked a lot. I just kept observing her, and the others in their youth group. Why isn't OURS like that? I kept wondering to myself. Pretty soon i decided that I'm not gonna worry about where others are right now, I'm only going to worry about myself. From then on, once i arrived back home, i became more involved in the Word than i ever used to be, and i started going to that other youth group more frequently. I gained so much from that youth group, and made a lot of new friends, including the one from my cabin. God is awesome!
   Just from hanging out with these girls, they have influenced me in ways i never thought possible. I have never been so close with God. I still have major struggles, in fact my walk with God is as bumpy as ever at the moment. I apologize if i sound like I'm sugar coating what a relationship with our Lord is like. It's amazing, but far from perfect. :)
   Anyways, my final point is, is that if you surround yourself with Christians, or you see something in someone that you want, go after it! God has put him or her there for a particular reason and i know he did that with me. If i never would have met that youth group, I'm not sure where I'd be now. But these individuals that i met have basically changed my life for a long time. They don't even realize it, cause i guess i haven't really officially told them.
    This is just the beginning of my learning process. I'll share more in other blog posts about other items I've learned.

God Bless,
Rachel Clausen