Kathy Collard Miller's Blog, page 7
April 9, 2023
The Resurrection Proves Your Salvation is Secure
Without the resurrection, Jesus death as evidence of his Messiahship is suspect. But the resurrection confirmed Jesus’ words: “It is finished.”
Without the #resurrection, #Jesus death as evidence of his Messiahship is suspect. But the resurrection confirmed Jesus’ words: “It is finished.” #Easter #JesusIsAlive https://bit.ly/3nFXfZe
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In I Corinthians 15:3-4, the Apostle Paul stresses both:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
Jesus is no longer in the grave! Jesus’ resurrection verified him as the true Messiah.
Many men died on crosses and some may have claimed to be the Messiah, but none rose from the grave.
Many men died on crosses and some may have claimed to be the long awaited Messiah, but none rose from the grave. #Easter #resurrection #salvation #Godislove https://bit.ly/3nFXfZe
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The empty grave declares God saying, “See? It really is true! Jesus was no imposter. This is my stamp of approval. I’m satisfied with my Son’s death on the cross in your place to wipe away all your sin. Therefore, you can live in confidence.” Romans 4:5 affirms, And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. Do you notice “who does not work”? Working for our salvation or to keep our salvation is not needed.
No wonder Satan loves to attack our security. When we are wondering whether enough has been done we become nervous. When someone “sees us” as imperfect, we wonder if they are questioning our salvation. Our lack of confidence motivates our defensiveness and anger.
When we counteract Satan’s questioning whispers with the truth, we live confidently.The Apostle Paul reminds us, “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
The same resurrection power is available to you and me. We won’t use it perfectly, but we’ll grow stronger, which is the process of sanctification. Additionally, because he’s no longer in the grave, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. No wonder we can be assured of our salvation.
(This is a post from a previous Easter post and an excerpt from my book Pure-Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory“)
April 3, 2023
Questions to Ask Yourself When a Friend Disappoints You
We have all been there. Our friend reacts toward us and we feel disappointed, defensive, confused, angry, or misunderstood. What should we do?Most of the time, the most godly reaction is to do nothing and ask ourselves some questions in order to evaluate why her reaction bothers us so much.
The truth is, her reaction may not actually require us to feel disappointed, defensive, confused, angry or misunderstood. Many times we want to react in those ways because we are taking the reaction personally as if it’s about us. It may not be at all.
In addition, our reaction is our own choice regardless of how hurtful or mean her reaction may be. It’s actually possible in the Holy Spirit’s power to react in a godly way to the most ungodly reaction we could ever receive.
Stuart Briscoe once said, “Temptation is not only an opportunity to do the wrong thing, but an opportunity to do the right.”
Here are some questions to evaluate your heart condition. Ask yourself these soul questions. #friendship #disappoint #friend #love https://bit.ly/40Z1JbY
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Here are some questions to evaluate your heart condition. Ask yourself these soul questions:
Why is this so hard for me to accept?What does her reaction say about me?Why am I thinking she reacts like that to me?When she responds like that, how do I feel about myself?What do I value about her friendship that I don’t want to lose?If I lost her friendship, what would it seem to say about my worth and value?What do I want most for her?Do I think she is rejecting what I think she needs?What do I think she thinks of me?What do I want to avoid in this situation?Do I think I can accurately know her heart and her motives?In what way am I assuming I know correctly the reaction she wants from me?Well, that’s quite a mouthful, eh? Not everything may be applicable to you but I hope it will bring out some insights into how you’re feeling and how you are interpreting her behavior. My passion is to help you see that your worth and value is only determined by the love and acceptance of your holy Heavenly Father, not the comments of another human.
My passion is to help you see that your worth and value is only determined by the love and acceptance of your holy Heavenly Father, not the comments of another human. #Godislove #trustGod https://bit.ly/40Z1JbY
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March 26, 2023
Book Drawing: “God’s Easter Miracles” by Lee Ann Mancini
I’m very excited to feature an children’s Easter book by Lee Ann Mancini for a book giveaway. Lee Ann has a powerful ministry of providing parenting tools and books with essential Christian messages. I’ve given several of Lee Ann’s other books to my granddaughter. She loves them.
Read below how to enter the drawing to win Lee Ann’s latest book, God’s Easter Miracles.
In God’s Easter Miracles, the Sea Kids learn that Easter isn’t about the Easter bunny or candy. It’s about Jesus giving up His life for all of us and how we are to sacrifice ourselves for others. Children will witness the power of prayer as three Sea Kids receive miracles and learn how to become more like Jesus.
Let’s Raise Our Children Well
Book Drawing: “God’s Easter Miracles” by Lee Ann Mancini
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It is getting harder to raise our children with Christian values in a world that celebrates subjective truth. Young children have been embedded by God with the ability to develop confidence, trust, truth, and critical thinking. The first step for tapping into these abilities is learning to love and to trust God. In this increasingly sinful world, the body of Christ needs to work together to help raise the next generation to become the one that brings effective change for the Kingdom. We can do this!
Raising Christian Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to empower parents to equip their children with a solid foundation in Jesus, preparing them to be the future defenders of Christianity. Our goal is to provide parents/grandparents with free biblical resources, based upon the directives of the Holy Bible, to teach and lead the next generation. Raising Christian Kids will work with link-minded Christian organizations to create an opportunity for low-income families to receive Christian parenting books, children’s books, and toys.
Founder Lee Ann Mancini is the podcast host of Raising Christian Kids. She authored and produced the award-winning Sea Kids series of books and animated episodes for parents and kids to experience together. Every story teaches children how to love God and others while living out the biblical principles highlighted in each one. These relatable and engaging “lessons” show little ones what it looks like to walk with Jesus on a daily basis: communicating with Him, imitating Him, and showing His love to others. Children are immersed in a fascinating oceanic world where the Sea Kids learn how to have compassion, pray, be truthful, and trust God.
Lee Ann’s award-winning children’s book, God’s Easter Miracles, is a compelling lesson about the true meaning of Easter. Three amazing miracles happen within the beautifully illustrated pages. Jimmy asks Jesus to be his savior; Lenny receives the miracle of healing; and Corey learns the important concept of sharing. The series helps children learn how to live out the biblical principles we are trying to instill in our children, using real life situations. The animation series can be viewed on Right Now Media, Pure Flix, Answers.TV, and Minno.
Raising Christian Kids ministry offers tools parents need to mold their little ones’ hearts and minds to follow Jesus: children’s books, animated stories, parenting curriculum, teaching handouts, coloring pages, fun learning activities, an award-winning podcast for parents, interviews with renowned parenting experts, blog articles full of helpful tips, and more.
Connect with us at www.RaisingChristianKids.com. We would love to hear from you! We are all about the salvation of our children and the preservation of Christianity. Let us help equip you with what you need to lead your little ones to Jesus.
Our mission is to equip and empower parents and caregivers to become the best spiritual leaders for children by providing free and affordable biblical services and resources. We want to help children build a strong, unbreakable foundation in Christ that will last a lifetime.Thank you, Lee Ann, for sharing about your powerful ministry with my readers.
To ENTER the drawing, please make a comment on my blog post before Sunday evening, April 2nd, 2023. Only USA addresses can win.
Lee Ann is currently an adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. She is the CEO of Raising Christian Kids, Inc., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. She is also host of the award-winning Raising Christian Kids podcast, and the author and executive producer of the animation series Sea Kids, which is on Pure Flix, Right Now Media, Answers.tv, and other streaming services.
Links:
RCK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaisingChristianKids
RCK Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/833199314195904
RCK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingchristiankidspodcast/
Sea Kids Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seakidstv
Sea Kids Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seakidstv/
Sea Kids books: https://seakidstv.com/books-and-toys/
March 22, 2023
Do You Feel Awkward When Someone Compliments You about Your Child?
Maybe I’m the only one, but I feel awkward when someone compliments me about my child.
I said, compliments me about my child–not just compliment my child. I’m thrilled to hear someone say something praise-worthy about my child. But when the point focuses on me, I feel like I am being invited to stand on the edge of quicksand and not know if I should step out or step back..or stand still.
Do I take credit? Do I try to convince my friend I actually wasn’t that great of a mom? Do I point out my good choices or my bad actions? How do I credit God even when I did depend upon His empowering to grow as a mom? Will I come across as humble or proud depending upon what I say? No wonder hearing my friend’s words feel uncomfortable. I feel paralyzed and confused.
Maybe I'm the only one, but I feel awkward when someone compliments me about my child. #parenting #compliments #parentingtips
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If you’ve ever felt similarly, you and I can take encouragement and courage from an interaction Doctor Luke recorded.
While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that carried You, and the breasts at which You nursed!” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.” (Luke 11:27-28 NASB)
The woman’s comment in Luke 11:27 is both a compliment to Mary, Jesus’s mother, and to Jesus himself. She is saying, “Your mother must be so happy to have a son like you. You are wonderful.” She might even be insinuating Mary must be a special kind of mother to have raised such an amazing son who had the courage to correct the Pharisees in front of the crowd and deliver a man from an unclean spirit (Luke 11:14-26).
Interestingly, during Jesus’s ministry, Mary along with Jesus’s half-siblings believed he had lost his mind (Mark 3:21). We can only wonder if in truth Mary was embarrassed to have a “son like him.” Thankfully, the truths told Mary at Jesus’s conception and birth won out, and Mary and several of Jesus’s half-siblings believed in Him as Savior and became a part of the early church. Jesus’s response to the woman in the crowd indicates He didn’t depend upon her recognition of His goodness, or how He was a blessing to His mother. And Jesus didn’t go into a detailed explanation about whether His mother was a good mother or not—or even whether He was a great son. Only upon His Heavenly Father’s acknowledgement.
Jesus’s dependence upon His Father’s recognition can strengthen us. We don’t have to be puffed up with pride hearing compliments about ourselves or our children. Jesus’s focus is on those who follow God’s Word. The change in other people is what thrills Him and is the ultimate blessing. If we can have the same focus, we will be strong in not depending upon the comments of others—whether positive or negative, especially about our offspring.
Of course, we should acknowledge the comments from others. This is not wrong. God most likely was prompting our friend to bless us through compliments about our child. We can courageously receive His support.So what to do? Courageously reply with a simple sentence and joyfully receive God’s encouragement. Ultimately, the best compliment we and our children will ever hear is God’s encouragement, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
I’d love to hear your feedback. What have you found to be the best way to respond to someone complimenting you because of your child?
Copyright and excerpted from Heart of Courage: Daughters of the King Bible Study Series
March 10, 2023
How Can We Know Whether to Help Someone?
Do you think we should help everyone who seems to need help?Does it seem shocking and even unacceptable to not help everyone? Let’s examine Galatians 6:2,5 to find out:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…For each will have to bear his own load.”
Do you think we should help everyone who seems to need help? #serveGod #trustGod #GodIsGood https://bit.ly/3Zzc79Q
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The truths of Galatians 6:2, 5 can initially appear contradictory. On the one hand we are told to bear one another’s burdens, but then also that each person should bear their own load. A helpful distinction can be defining a “burden” as a challenge someone isn’t strong enough yet to handle. They haven’t progressed in their spiritual life enough to persevere without help.
A “load,” on the other hand, can be thought of as something a person is mature enough to handle on their own with God’s help. Doing so will increase their dependence on God and decrease their inappropriate dependence on people. These distinctions take a great deal of wisdom to identify.
Therefore, is every need an assignment from God?
How Can We Know Whether to Help Someone?
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Psalm 49:7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,
Proverbs 19:19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
Proverbs 22:24–25 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Proverbs 26:17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
The previous four selections of verses give a broader perspective for responding to struggling believers than we might usually consider. Often, we think we must respond to every need a Christian has and make sure she does the right thing, even to the point of feeling responsible for her choices. The wisdom from these verses can give us courage to do what might seem uncomfortable yet might be best for her.
For instance, Psalm 49:7 assures us we can’t be another person’s redeemer or give a ransom for them. Only Jesus qualifies because only he was sinless and could die for our sins, plus have the ability to sanctify us. Our courage can increase as we realize God can fulfill within another person what we can’t.
Proverbs 19:19 emphasizes how protecting an angry person from the consequences of her choices could encourage her to continue sinning. God will give us the courage to allow her to “pay the penalty,” knowing only then she’ll see the error of her ways.
Proverbs 22:24–25 warns us there are limits to the level of friendship that is best with certain people. We can be acquaintances, but we must put up a guard against being a close friend who has the possibility of influencing us poorly. Knowing this guideline will give us courage when God says to limit contact.
Finally, Proverbs 26:17 strengthens our courage to choose associations wisely by knowing not every battle of others is ours to fight. People may try to convince us their “dog” is ours to protect, but only God knows his assignments for us.
How can you think of applying these ideas to someone’s plea for help right now?From these verses, we can have confidence knowing other people don’t need to dictate our choices. God will guide us.
(This material is taken from my women’s Bible Study Heart of Courage. Each of the ten lessons in Heart of Courage ends with a unique “Letter from God.” Here is this lesson’s “Letter from God”.)
My Precious Princess and Daughter:You are a part of my body, the church. My beloved Son, Jesus, is the head, and you are an important and essential part of the church’s influence upon this world. My family can’t function as effectively without you because you bring to it the personally crafted skills and talents I gave to you. It may seem like such a big organism doesn’t need you, but that’s not true. Every child of mine is responsible to contribute to my body.
I knew from the beginning my body wouldn’t function perfectly. Human sinfulness and selfishness are like a disease within it, and I know the church will never be perfect. Yet, my plan is effective because of my power. I am the source of its courage. I want you to be a part of my glory as you contribute according to my calling upon you and my plan.
Don’t focus on the weaknesses of the church. Instead, focus on how I want to use you within it and outside of it to represent me to a confused, blinded world. You may feel like a small toenail, but I have important work for you to accomplish for me. Every part of the whole is equally important and useful. Let me guide you as to who and how you want me to use you to minister to others.
Let my forgiveness of you give you the courage to forgive others. You aren’t perfect and neither are your brothers or sisters in Christ. You need each other.
I love you, and I love all my children equally. Live with a courageous heart.
Lovingly,
Your Heavenly Father, the King
February 28, 2023
Book Drawing: “Far From Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth” by Mabel Ninan
I know this book will be a blessing for us all. Continue reading to find out how to enter the drawing for Mabel’s book.
Mabel was born and raised in a Christian home in India, Mabel came to America as a newlywed, confident and equipped to start a new chapter of her life. Instead, she wrestled with questions about identity and feelings of homesickness and loneliness. Her desperate search for belonging and purpose brought her to her knees. God revealed to her that she was not only an earthly immigrant but also a spiritual one, created with a unique calling to impact God’s kingdom. Mabel’s renewed perspective imbued her with joy and hope, urging her to share her message with others.
In Far from Home, she draws from her personal experiences and by examining the lives of biblical heroes. Mabel sheds light on what it means to live as a citizen of Heaven on earth. Far from Home will inspire you to:
Embrace your identity as a foreigner on earth.Make your home with God.Find community and common purpose with fellow sojourners.Here’s an excerpt from Mabel’s book:
Yes, You are Stuck Between Two Worldsby Mabel NinanMy five-year-old son, Ryan, and I were riding an elevator in a mall on one of our trips to India. Packed, as only Indians allow themselves to be packed, into that six-foot by six-foot square box with other shoppers, my son felt absolutely and uncontrollably compelled to give voice to his thoughts. Right there. Right then. Out of the blue. Throwing me off guard.
“I am American, right, Mommy? Because I eat American food. I don’t like Indian food.”
Ryan searched my face for clarification or confirmation.
“We can talk about it later,” I whispered. I felt my cheeks flush.
As my fellow elevator riders darted their glances at me, I did my best to avoid eye contact with them.
India was Ryan’s luxury resort and spa. Every other year he got the chance to escape routine, school, and homework for a month-long vacation in the Indian subcontinent, a term that refers to South Asia, where his grandparents catered to his every whim. They considered his indiscretions cute. Aunts and uncles showered him with love, allowing him to indulge in mindless snacking and unrestrained TV watching. In India, Ryan blended in. At the same time, he was also aware of his foreignness, knowing that, culturally, he was different from his own flesh and blood.A natural dilemma for most immigrant children is whether they should attach themselves to, or consciously strip themselves of, their parents’ ethnic identity. My son will probably have more questions about his identity than I can answer or solve.
Ironically, as someone who lives in between two cultures, I struggle with my own share of conflicting identities.After living in the new homeland for almost a decade, I feel like I belong. I cannot, at the same time, resist the pull I feel toward my homeland. The umbilical cord has not yet been severed. My parents, sister, and most of my relatives live in India, and I continue to be involved in their lives. I remain in touch with my Indian friends. It is unthinkable to cut off contact from India altogether. At the same time, I gather new friends in America, and some of them have become so close that I consider them family.
For the most part, it seems as if I am stuck between two worlds, sandwiched by two cultures, sometimes believing that I belong to neither. Acceptance and exclusion seem to remarkably coexist, making it harder for me to settle the issue of my national identity.
The ambiguity in my status as an immigrant accentuates an important aspect of my identity that I have previously overlooked and ignored—my identity as a spiritual immigrant. And that applies to you as a Christian.Physically, we are earthlings, with both cradle and coffin grounded in earth. But, spiritually, our new birth and identity in Christ changes our status from a native of this world to a foreigner. We are not only the beloved and chosen children of God and coheirs with Christ, but also members of the kingdom of God with the full rights and privileges of citizenship.
We do not belong to this world though God created us to live and prosper in this world. We are a people who live in the overlap of “in the world” and “not of this world.” We are citizens of heaven, living on earth as pilgrims.
Thank you Mabel, for reminding us of this dilemma. We forget how much the dichotomy affects. We need your book to remind us so that we will be wise about living in the midst of two cultures.
MEET MABEL:To enter the drawing for Mabel’s book, make any comment on the blog post (CLICK HERE). Only US addresses can win. Drawing will end Wednesday, March 8th, 2023.
Mabel is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and host of the YouTube podcast, Immigrant Faith Stories. An immigrant from India who has lived in seven cities across the U.S. in fourteen years, she navigates between cultures, feeling at home everywhere and nowhere. Her latest book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, won the 2022 Southern Christian Writers Conference Notable Book Award in the category, Nonfiction (Traditionally Published).
A contributor to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers since 2022, Mabel’s articles have appeared in Upper Room, CBN.com, LeadingHearts.com, and (in)courage.me.
Mabel is currently pursuing M.A. in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Silicon Valley with her husband, eleven-year-old son, and a Maltese.
Contact Points/Useful Links
Website – https://mabelninan.com
FREE Bible reading plan and devotion, Discover your Immigrant Spiritual Identity, when you sign up for my emails – http://bit.ly/3I0E2t5
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MabelNinan
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mabel_ninan
YouTube – https://youtube.com/@mabelninan
10-Day Jonah reading plan on YouVersion app: http://bible.us/r/7Z3
Buy Far from Home on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3INfXmU
Buy a Signed Copy of Far from Home– https://form.jotform.com/221366566535158
February 21, 2023
We Didn’t Have Money for the Unexpected Bill!
We didn’t know what we were going to do but somehow I had an anticipation God knew. God had been working on my contentment and the lack of money seemed a perfect challenge for learning more about God’s ability to provide. I decided I wouldn’t be discontented or worried.
In the book Larry and I wrote titled, “God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature”, Larry and I examine a strange question God asks in Psalm 50:13. It seemed to provide the same challenge for all bill-paying challenge: “Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?”
God is addressing the Israelites who believe they are offering sacrifices to Jehovah because He is weak, impotent, needy, thirsty, and hungry. The pagans around them have influenced the Israelites to believe Jehovah is like their god which they think actually eats the sacrificed food.
The pagans believe they must bribe their gods in order for their needs to be provided.
In Psalm 50:10-13, God explains,
“For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drinks the blood of goats?” (ESV)
But the God of the Israelites wants to provide out of His great love.
God established the sacrificial system not as a means for His people to bribe Him or earn His favor, but to point to the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.God knew exactly how He would generously provide for the most important need of all: reconciling sinful people to Himself.
In effect, God is asking in Psalm 50:13: “What is your motive in giving the sacrifices? I don’t need you to provide for me. I want to provide for you. My resources are unlimited and I am generous.”
How much we believe the powerful truth of God’s generous nature can be measured by our level of contentment.Then we are resting in His assurance He knows what’s best and will generously provide it, just like God did for our unexpected bill.
Soon after finding out about the bill, I heard a crash in our back yard. Our ten-foot-high brick wall was adjacent to a busy street. I used a chair to crawl up and look over the fence. A car had smashed into the brick wall.
Thankfully, the driver took responsibility and his insurance company estimated how much it would cost to repair the brick wall and then gave us a check. When my neighbor who owned a construction company heard of the amount, he said, “I can fix the wall for lots less than that.”
And he did.
And guess what? Yes, you can guess. The unused amount was exactly the amount we needed for the unexpected bill.I almost felt like I could hear God say, “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.” Interestingly, but not surprising, verse 15 in Psalm 50 says, “…call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
God has received glory many times as I’ve used that story to remind myself to be content and also to share with others in my writing and speaking. It reminds me God wants me to be content knowing He will provide according to His will. He is generous and caring.
What other examples or concepts in the Bible assure you God is generous? Or maybe you have a story where God provided in a surprising way. I would love to hear!
If you want to learn more about the questions God asked, check out our two books, one on New Testament questions and one on Old Testament questions: 
God’s Intriguing Questions: 60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’ Nature
February 14, 2023
February 2, 2023
Book Giveaway! “Pure-Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory” by … ME!!!!!
Forgive me. I’ve never featured my own book in my once-a-month book giveaways but I’m eager to re-introduce one of my books to you titled: “Pure Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory.” I think you’ll value it if you haven’t read it before. And if you have, please consider writing a review on Amazon.
Regardless, please enter the drawing. I would love to send a copy to the winner, either Kindle or print. And by the way, it is also available on audio (can’t win in the audio version) Read below how to enter the drawing.
Description of “Pure-Hearted”It is possible to have a purer passion for serving God and respond with greater godliness as a result. Do you desire to bring glory to God yet wonder if your motives are muddied by fear, selfishness, and immaturity? Even when you’re empowered by the Lord to represent him well, do you wonder if your success has made it all about you?
Pure Hearted will inspire you to focus on desiring God’s glory and enjoy the benefits without guilt—benefits like selflessness, security, satisfaction, surrender, stability and self-control, along with others. Filled with biblical principles, practical instruction, and motivational stories, Pure Hearted is written for women. Every chapter includes discussion questions for groups or individuals.
Here’s an excerpt from Pure-Hearted
Our Adoption Assures Us by Kathy Collard MillerLet’s concentrate on having a deeper sense of security so that we desire to give God more glory. Ephesians 1:5 says,: he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
In the Roman culture when Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, a Roman father could disinherit a son born into the family. But an adopted child could not be disinherited.
The idea was a father had no choice as to what he received when a baby was born naturally into the family. If the child grew up and disgraced the family, the father could justify disinheriting him by saying, “I didn’t know he had all these flaws, otherwise I would not have chosen him.”
But an adopted child was chosen specifically with full knowledge of his strengths, weaknesses, appearance, and anything else a family considered important. Therefore, a father could not justify disinheriting him. A father could never say, “I didn’t know what I was getting.”
Paul’s wording didn’t just say we are sons (or daughters). He included the fact we are adopted. Paul fully knew the Roman culture—he was Jewish yet had Roman citizenship. His readers knew the significance of not only becoming a son but an adopted son—a position which could not be taken away regardless of performance or flaws.
I hope this speaks to you as much as it speaks to me. God wants us to know we cannot be disinherited—we cannot lose our salvation! He chose us fully knowing we would not be perfect. But he also wants us to desire to please him out of gratitude for the great salvation he has given us. As we live in that assurance, we’ll give glory to God.
When you read through Ephesians 1, it’s striking how often God’s glory is mentioned. You’ll find it in:
vs. 6: his grace brings him glory
vs. 12: we are to the praise of his glory
vs. 14: the gift of the Holy Spirit brings praise to his glory
vs. 17: God is the Father of glory
vs. 18: we can know the riches of his glory revealed in our inheritance.
What glorious connections to our inheritance.
If you are a Christian, you are secure. You may not always “feel” it, but you are regardless of your feelings. As we more fully develop joy and a sense of security we enlarge God’s generosity in the eyes of others.I hope you enjoyed that snippet from my book. If you’d like to enter the drawing, please make a comment on the blog post (click here). Only USA addresses can win. The drawing closes on Thursday evening, February 9, 2023.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Start the Purification
Chapter 2 Selfless: Love Others Well
Chapter 3 Surrendered: Trusting God’s Plan
Chapter 4 Secure: Know Your Position in Christ
Chapter 5 Satisfied: Enjoy Contentment
Chapter 6 Stable: Reap Emotional Strength
Chapter 7 Self-Controlled: Choose Wisely
Chapter 8 Struck with Awe: Praise God in Truth
Chapter 9 Steadfast: Exhibit Dependability
Chapter 10 Sensitive: Share God’s Design
Chapter 11 Conclusion: Surprise!
January 21, 2023
Be Inspired! This Will Touch You!
Be inspired! This will touch you and motivate you to “work” for Christ with a holy love. Sometimes we become weary or wonder why we are serving Christ. Maybe we aren’t seeing the results we’d desire.
First Thessalonians 1:3 says this:
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV).We can easily skim over the phrase “labor of love.” But read this story from Williams Barclay’s commentary to be inspired.:
Tweet this: Wonder if you thought of every act of service for Christ as a part of your wedding dress welcoming Him when He returns?
There is the labour which is prompted by love. Bernard Newman tells how once he stayed in a Bulgarian peasant’s house. All the time he was there the daughter was stitching away at a dress.
He said to her, “Don’t you ever get tired of that eternal sewing?”
“Oh, no!” she said, “you see this is my wedding dress.”
Work done for love always has a glory.
