He paid the debt for us

062708:
I am so excited, grateful, and joyful! Last night, Hanzo and I found out that we are expecting a baby! Praise God! Praise the Lord! I'm going to try my best to describe what I'm going through. Last night, all I wanted to do was begin a legacy for my baby. We started writing in a journal, which Mom (Jocelyn) bought for Hanzo when they were in Italy. In it, we will leave letters to our baby with gems of wisdom and words of love and encouragement. Also, I insisted that we get a photo with the stick and a QuickTime video of our first video message to the baby. This morning, I woke up at 6am and felt so energized! I started praying to God, asking for blessings for our baby. God told me to get up and do a devo. When I went into the kitchen to get breakfast, my mom came into the kitchen. She was leaving for work. She asked me about my craps because a few nights ago, I had mentioned that I had a cramp or severe pain in my abdomen. I guess she was worried about it. But then, it left me an opportunity to tell her about the good news! I couldn't help but smile when she asked me...so I actually had to tell her. My mom was very happy. And now, here I am, doing my devo, but getting a little side tracked in trying to remember this special moment in my life.

1 Kings 14:6 But the sons of the slayers he did not put to death, according to what is written in the book of the Law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, " The fathers shall not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers; but each shall be put to death for his own sin."

In the Law of Moses, Deut. 24:16 says "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin. Ezekiel 18:20 says 20"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself." And yet, God broke the law of this world so that we would be free! God made the law Himself. He told Moses and the other prophets that no one should pay for another person's sins. Yet, because of His grace, He placed all the wickedness and the sins of mankind on the only Son He has.

This scripture has captured my heart to think that God would do something so uncommonly merciful for all of us. I'm sure that this was one of the laws that people would say while sneering at others who have wronged them. "Grr...well, you shall be put to death for your own sin." It's sort of a way for us to wash our hands clean of the guilt and let the sinner continue on their way to eternal flames. However, God does not do that. God says to us, "You are going the wrong direction, come and follow me." He says, "You have wronged me, but if you would see and repent, I will save you." Moreover, while we were still unrepentant sinners, He sent Jesus to die for our sins! Does this mean that God only wants me to ask for forgiveness every time so that I never reap the consequences of my actions? No way. God is just. He will make sure that discipline follows. However, He is quick to forgive and will always bring good out of that sinful situation for redeeming purposes. I think it is also important for me to explain that Jesus' sacrifice does not mean that we are no longer accountable for our own sins. I find peace in knowing that my sins will not bear punishment on my child because God does keep us accountable. The main point is, that God didn't need to save us, instead, He wanted to and He did so. How can I be different today because I am renewed in my awareness of this awesome act of love? I can look at other people today, and know that God paid the ultimate price for that person and then I must treat them according to the value that God has placed on them. Other people are precious, priceless, and worth loving because God loved them first and placed the value on their life.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt which we owed to You. Lord Jesus, You had the right to tell us that our blood should be on our own heads. However, Lord, I am so grateful that You loved us with God's love and saved us from our debt of sin. Forgive me today, Father, for my sins and trespasses against You. Correct me and lead me in Your everlasting way. Please prepare me to be a genuine, Christian mother. Lord, please keep Your hand upon our baby and pour out Your love and joy even now in these early stages of pregnancy. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

No Right To Be Angry

062608

Jonah 4:4 But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"

2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Jonah was a prophet of God and the Lord told him to go to Nineveh to preach against it. Jonah knew that God was warning the city to repent and so he ran in another direction. Jonah deliberately disobeyed God because he thought Nineveh deserved their punishment. God makes Jonah obey Him by having Jonah swallowed by a huge fish. When the fish vomits him out, Jonah goes straight to Nineveh, and sure enough, they heeded his prophesy and repented. Jonah got angry. He said that it would be better for him to be dead than living. God then replies to Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry?” Jonah indeed had no right to be angry. Paul instructs Timothy, but he might as well be instructing Jonah too. Paul says that a servant of the Lord must not argue, but instead be kind to everyone. A servant of the Lord must be able to teach, but not be resentful. It seems that Jonah was resentful. Jonah was not kind to the people of Nineveh. God wanted to show Jonah that it was not a concern of Jonah to judge these people. God loved the people of Nineveh, and that is why Jonah needed to prophesy against them.

I can relate to Jonah. Many times I get angry at what God tells me to do. I think to myself, doesn’t He know how badly they hurt me, or doesn’t God know that this person will only sin again? Why do I have to intervene? If I just do nothing, then they will get what’s coming to them. Well, that may be true, but then their blood is on my head. God will not let me go on my merry way, avoiding obedience to Him. I am a servant of the Lord. I cannot choose when I will obey nor do I have a right to get angry at God. To conquer this common pitfall of pride, I must remember Paul’s instruction to Timothy. I must not quarrel. It’s easy to pick a fight with someone that doesn’t see things the way I do. I don’t like fighting, but I know that fighting doesn’t only mean verbal arguing. The Greek word is Macomai, which means of those who contend at law for property and privileges (Strong’s). So I mustn’t feel a sense of privilege because we are all equal at the foot of the cross. I must be kind to everyone. I get mad sometimes because I know that people step all over me for being kind. I tell God, “Why do I have to kind to this person? They only take it for granted!” or “They don’t appreciate my kindness!” I must be kind because it serves the Lord. No if’s and’s or but’s. Also, I must be able to teach. I must know God’s word so that when God tells me to teach, I am able to. Teaching others is different from giving them what they need for the moment. As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Most of all, I must not be resentful. I think God has really been working on this within me. I tend to do a lot of things with resentment. I’m really good at putting on the appearance that I really like doing it, but deep down inside, I’ll be feeling forced or controlled. I need to stop doing this. I need Jesus to bring healing to this wound so that I can do all things out of joy with love.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for sinning. I have no right to be angry. Thank you for Your grace and patience with me. Lord, show me how to be more like You. Help me to apply these characteristics to my own so that I will not feel entitlement or resentment, but instead be kind and able to teach. May Your word never depart from my heart. Lord, I pray for the salvation of my family and friends who don’t know You. Lord, I pray that they would pursue You with all their hearts! I thank You for my husband and I pray that You would fill him with Your strength and joy today. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Rend my heart

062508
Joel 2: 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Joel 1 begins with warnings and a prophesy of a desperate time to come. The locusts will swarm and consume everything. The land will be desolate and unfruitful. An army of locusts will invade the land and devour everything. But then Joel calls them to repentance. He tells them to rend their hearts. To rend is to tear or split apart or into pieces violently; to tear one’s garments or hair in anguish or rage; to cause pain or distress to. Joel was telling them that the people shouldn’t be tearing their garments in distress, but rather their hearts. If only their hearts would break at the realization of their wickedness and disobedience, then they would really change their ways. Joel calls the people to return to God, not because He is wrathful, but because He is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. So although God is all powerful, He is always willing to take a repentant heart back.

Has my repentance truly resulted in the rending of my heart? Have I ever truly understood just how much I break God’s heart? Today, I realize that the reason why I’m going through this season of feeling bitter, jealous, and indignant is because I haven’t really felt Godly sorrow over my sin. I tend to be a Christian because I’m supposed to be one. I do kind things because I want to be liked, not because I realize the price that my salvation was purchased with. If I can just wrap my head around the wrath that Jesus took on my behalf, then I most surely would live for His glory alone. This is the moment! I am really digging into my heart and soul and letting the magnitude of God’s love impact my life. God doesn’t want me to be bitter; He wants me to love Him with all my heart. My heart is broken right now. Not only is it broken, but I tear it apart. I rip at my heart because I need Him to rebuild my heart. Once the old has been torn down, the new can be built.

Oh Lord, I am so sorry for all the pain and suffering that my sin has caused You. I grieve over my deep, concealed wickedness. Lord, I tear my heart apart today and hand it over to You to be rebuilt! Jesus, You are my Lord! You are my Savior! I ask for Your forgiveness. I praise You for Your everlasting love and grace. May I never cheapen the price it cost You for my salvation. Help me to follow You will all that I am. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.

Modestly living

062308
1 Timothy 5:6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.

Paul is talking to Timothy about how to honor widows. He goes into what qualifies women for aid by the church and what doesn't. A widow who continues to place her hope in God is indeed worthy. However, there are women who were not faithful to their husbands and they were already dead spiritually. Paul uses the word "wanton" which means causing sexual excitement. The Greek word is "Spatalao" which means from luxury, to be voluptuous, or to live in pleasure. So, a woman who is sexually exciting, living in pleasure, or living in luxury is dead even as she lives.

Growing up, I was always encouraged to be beautiful. I learned to dance at an early age and knew that my body was nothing to be ashamed of. It started out innocently enough, but I think it made it hard for me later to learn modesty. I remember thinking in high school that I had great cleavage and that I should show it off. God is saying, there is no life in living that way. Although now, I am significantly more modest, I still have a hard time doing it naturally. For over 20 years I have worn tight clothes, low cut tops, and felt no remorse. But now, I see that I was this woman who was giving herself to wanton pleasure. I was allowing men to be sexually excited by me and that was wrong. Now, I have to correct this wrong way of thinking. I want to change my habits. Already, I've thrown out clothes that are too revealing. God wants me to truly live. I cannot dwell on these surface things because they are only going to lead me to death spiritually. I desire to be pure on the inside as well as the outside.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for giving into wanton pleasure. Lord, please transform my heart. Renew my mind. Lord, help me to dress modestly so that the only thing that people see when they look at me is Jesus. I thank You, Lord, for a husband that truly cares about my purity. I pray that if there is anything else I need to get rid of that You would reveal it to me. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray...Amen.

Preparing for Motherhood

062008
1 Timothy 2: 11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women[a] will be saved[b] through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Paul is writing to Timothy, giving him instructions for worship. Women must worship God through quietness and full submission. Earlier in the passage, Paul says that he tells the truth. God has a design and order for all things. It sounds like Paul is blaming the woman, but then he also says that women will be redeemed, or saved, through their offspring if they continue to worship God in faith, love, holiness, and propriety.

Reading this passage is a bit difficult for me. A sense of injustice flares up inside. I feel pride well up in my heart as I think to myself, “So I’m just good for making babies? I can’t teach or voice my feelings, my thoughts, or my convictions?” But because I have a relationship with God, I know that He loves me and that He values me. He sent His only Son to die for me! So I must look beyond the surface of my pride and see the true lesson that I must learn here. When I am silent on issues, it gives my husband an opportunity to speak up. I noticed that when I allow Hanzo to be the leader, he takes the lead. But when I take the lead, I often steer us in the wrong direction. Like the other day, I had impulsively agreed to some things, and then Hanzo had to come and show that he was the leader and fix it for us. I had indeed led us into a mess! I’m grateful though, that my husband will take the lead and get us out of those messes. However, that’s not to say he is blameless and never leads us into a mess. He’s still learning. We are both still so young, but if I continue to allow him to be my leader, then God will deal with him and show him how to lead better. Another gem that I find in this scripture is that God is finally preparing me for being a mom! I see that if I continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety, that I will be a godly woman and a godly mother! Propriety means to be appropriate, or proper. I need to examine my ways and align them with what is proper. This is a very good thing for me to work on as I prepare for future motherhood.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your love. Thank You for Your word. Lord, please forgive me for missing the mark and sinning. Lord, please show me how to be a noble wife. Prepare me, Lord, to be a mother. Lord, reveal to me things that I do that are not appropriate. Lead me in Your everlasting way! Lord, I pray for my husband, that You continue to raise up the leader in him. I thank You that I come under his covering, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Chosen to serve

061908:

1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,

Paul is writing to Timothy, whom Paul felt was his true child in the faith. Paul is very fatherly in this passage. Here Paul expresses his attitude of gratitude for Jesus' redemption. Paul knows that it is a privilege to be able to serve and that Christ is the one who gives him the strength to do so.

I have been feeling pretty weak lately. I feel like I'm trying so hard to wake up early to do my devotions in the morning. When I do wake up, I'm rushing my devo because I need to finish it in like 20 minutes. Also, I physically feel weary. I need to just ask the Lord to fill me with His strength. Jesus will strengthen me for the things He is asking me to do. I must remember at all times the it is a privilege to be chosen by God to serve Him. Especially, it is a privilege to be in full time ministry.

Lord, please forgive me for taking for granted the calling You have placed on my life. Heavenly Father, please help me to surrender completely to You. Lord, I need You. Help me to be filled with Your joy and strength today! Thank You for choosing me. I pray that I live a life worthy of Your calling. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray...Amen.

Praying for others

061808
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

Paul closes his letter in the common practice of that time which is listing all these people who send their greetings. One of the people he mentions is Epaphras. This man is a Christian Colossian and he was a prayer warrior. He always prayed for the Colossians that they would be made holy and be assured in God's will.

Epaphras encourages me. I feel called to be a prayer warrior, but it's such a bummer when others make it seem like there is no need for such a thing. I think it clearly shows here that we can pray on others behalf. Also, it is good to do so. However, I need to be careful not to pray so much for others that I don't pray for myself. This morning, I am so tired. I am so drained. I'm not sure how I am going to make it through today except for by Jesus' strength.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me of my sins. Lord, please fill me with Your joy and strength. I pray on Jonnelle's behalf, that You would keep her eyes fixed on You. I pray for Melinda, that she would be comforted and seek Your ways. Lord, please help me as well. Keep me focused on Your will, Your plan. I pray for my husband, that he would be filled with Your wisdom and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, whom I love, I pray, Amen.

I Know That I Know

061608
1 Kings 17:12 & 24
12But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die."... 24Then the woman said to Elijah, " Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."

Elijah the prophet predicted a drought and after staying at a brook and living off of it, he was instructed to go to a widow's house in Zarephath. The widow is first seen gathering sticks. Elijah calls out to her and asks that she get him a little water so that he may drink. The woman is on her way to get this little bit of water and then Elijah also asks for a piece of bread. The woman sounds so hopeless as she explains to Elijah that she has no bread and that she is ready to give up. She was gathering sticks so that she and her son would eat that and then die. She was at the point of suicide. Not only did God bring Elijah to her house to survive the drought, but also to save this woman from death and hopelessness. But even though the little bit of flour and oil that she had never ran out, she still doubted Elijah. She probably was also doubting God. Maybe everyday, she made bread and thought, this might be the last of it. But when things took a turn for the worst, and her son got very sick, then God revealed His glory by healing him. Elijah pleaded on the child's behalf. God heard Elijah's voice. The woman was convinced after that. Her faith and trust was complete.

As I reflect on what happened yesterday, this scripture is just saturated with lessons and meaning. Yesterday, God used me to comfort and counsel three women. Each very worn, very downcast, and very weary. I feel for these women. As I spoke to each of them, I could feel God supplying me words that I never knew could come out of my mouth to comfort them. They are on my heart in my prayers and I know that God will deliver them from their situations. Just as Elijah and the widow needed each other to survive, I need others to survive. I can't ever think that because I helped these women, that I am immune from such heartache, suffering, or pain. What is important for me to remember from all this, is that I need to know that I know that I trust the Lord. God is my Father. Jesus is my Savior. I need to decide on things right now. I'm thinking so clearly. This is a good time to make decisions. My mind isn't distracted. My hormones or emotions are not controlling me. I decide right now that I will never gather sticks. I will never give up. I will always hope. I will always trust. I will always cry out to God. I will allow others to help me when I am sliding. When I look at all that God has done in my life, I see that it is nothing short of a miracle. In fact, I see it all more miraculous than having an endless supply of flour and oil. God is so good. I must always remember that.

Heavenly Father, I love You. I follow You, Lord. Please lead me in Your everlasting way! Lord, please forgive me for my pride, my fear, my waywardness in my thoughts. Please continue to bless me with a clear mind. I pray that I transform into the woman of God that You designed me to be. Lord, I pray for my sisters, that You would bring healing and direction for them. Lord, You are there for them, so please help them to see that. I pray that Your will is done. I pray for my husband, that He would continue to grow in Your word. I pray for his safety and healing. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.

Imitate Christ

060908

Ecclesiastes 11:10 So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Ephesians 5:1 - 2
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

I heard God saying that I need to remove even the tiniest hint of evil in my heart. Deep inside, I harbor resentment, hate, pain, and anger. Although on the outside, I seem very cheerful and happy, on the inside, way deep in a dark corner, I hold onto these sinful feelings. I hide them away and I've learned to smile. But Ecclesiastes says that life is too short to harbor such feelings and God sees everything that is hidden and will bring justice. I can't fool God with my talent at suppressing my feelings. In Ephesians, Paul says that we must be imitators of God. Just as Christ did exactly what the Father did, then I should, as God's child, also do what He does. God walks in love, all the time. He doesn't just love us sometimes, He loves us unfailingly. I must imitate that love until it drives out all the impurities in my heart.

I have been trying to uncover the darkest mysteries and secrets in my heart to bring them to Jesus for healing. So far, I've discovered that every since I could comprehend my mother's arthritis, I've blamed myself for it. Also, that attitude caused me to be overly and inappropriately apologetic. I have really been struggling with having a joyful heart. I want so badly to be joyful all the time. I see other people and they seem so solid. But I feel like I've been judged harshly lately. I notice that people expect me to be 100% joyful. And since I haven't reached that yet, they seem to be disappointed in me. But then again, I probably see it this way because of my paradigm. Maybe no one is judging me and I'm just placing this burden on myself. The solution to my desire to be filled with God's love is to be an imitator of God, of Christ. I need to apply that old cliche, "What Would Jesus Do?" to my every thought and decision.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me. Lord, please help me! I'm struggling. I want to be just like You! I feel so far from who You are calling me to be. Please prepare me for the challenges ahead. Lord, lead me in Your everlasting way. Help me to be an imitator of Jesus. Purify my heart, Lord. Fill it with Your love. Draw out all the bitterness that I secretly harbor. I trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pinocchio

060608
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Paul talks about how we are dead to sin and alive unto righteousness. Here he says that we are God’s workmanship. A workmanship is “Something made or produced by a workman” according to thefreedictionary.com. If God is the workman, then that means He is “A craftsman or artisan.” I’m a work of art! Jesus Christ is my redeemer. He allows me to do good works. God designed me to do good works, but without Jesus, I can’t do them.

I’m reminded of the story of Pinocchio. He’s a wooden puppet, crafted by a skilled toy maker, Geppetto. Geppetto wanted to have a son soooo badly, that he crafted this puppet to look like a real boy. I seem to be Pinocchio because I was crafted with a purpose, to bring glory to my Maker! But without Jesus, I’m still just made of wood and unable to move about in freedom. God prepared me in advance to do good works, but if I keep trying to put my strings back on, I’ll be limited by the world. There is so much more that I can relate to on this classic cartoon. I could go on and on about how I have a conscience, which is Jiminy Cricket. Well, maybe Jiminy is like the Holy Spirit. Anyways, it’s just an analogy.

So,…what do I do with this analogy? How do I apply it so I can be a “real” Christian? I need to have confidence in my purpose. Well, maybe I need to be clear about what my purpose is first. Am I meant to be a mentor who corrects and rebukes in love? Or an all smiles, overly joyful, carefree Christian that doesn’t let the cares of the world phase me? Or both? Ah, I’m not very focused right now. I want to do good works. I want to do good. But it seems that when I try to do good, all that I see is trouble, problems, and screw ups. I’m afraid to think higher of myself and say, “I did my best and that is good enough,” because I don’t want to be proud. How do I please God, and God alone? Who do I talk to? I feel like I’m in the belly of the whale. Where is my conscience?
I must remember that God prepared me for His good works. I am designed for His good work. I’m capable if I just depend on Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I am so sorry for not being all that You designed me to be. Lord, I am trying so hard to be better. Please change me. Forgive me for falling short. I love You. Please fill me with Your love. Please Lord, Please. I need to be a “real” Christian. I’m so tired of being seen as a shallow Christian. I want to be the best that You want me to be. Help me to be good. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Work with eager hands

060508
Proverbs 31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel is repeating an oracle that his mother taught him. According to TheFreeDictionary.com, one of the definitions of an oracle is “a command or revelation from God.” King Lemuel begins to talk about a wife of noble character. At verse 13 it says that she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. During that time, people must have had to make their own clothes. This wife of noble character worked eagerly to provide clothing for her family.

This morning, Hanzo mentioned that things were kind of backwards. I had trouble waking up and then the next thing I know, here comes my husband with a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup! He just wanted to do something nice for me. After eating most of the soup, I felt so good and was ready to get up and get ready for work. He walked me to the car, helping me carry stuff, and then gave a kiss and hug to send me off to the office. Boy, he showed me what a wife of noble character should be like. I felt a little guilty because I started to think that my husband was better at being a wife than I was. But I started to pray to God and repeat Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation in Jesus Christ,” so that I wouldn’t let it get me down. Then I started praying and asking God to fill me with His spirit and His joy and His strength. I wanted to work hard today. I rebuked the feeling of tiredness and laziness. I read this scripture and I realized, I need to be eager to work and provide for my family. This is a noble thing to do. God commands it. Today, may it be said of me that I served my God with eager hands.

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for my husband. Please forgive me for being lazy and complacent about working. Fill me with Your joy, Lord! May Your joy pour over into other’s lives. I love You, Lord! Jesus, shine through me and work through my hands today. May I accomplish all that You desire me to do. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Flattery

060408:
Proverbs 28:23 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.

Proverbs 29:5 Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.

Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Flattery: Excessive or insincere praise; to please or gratify the vanity of; to portray favorably. Proverbs 28:23 says that it is better for someone to rebuke than to flatter. When you see something that is wrong, rebuke it. It is more favorable to God than flattery. Flattery is insincere. It is not true. It isn’t what you truly know or feel about that person. Proverbs 29:5 says that flatter actually ensnares the person it comes from. According to Romans 16:18, flattery is a tool of the enemy along with deception. Flattery is a selfish act. It isn’t in God’s character to flatter people.

Laine, you need to make sure that you don’t participate in flattery. I know that you like to be encouraging, but don’t get that mixed up with flattery. They aren’t the same thing. When you say something good to someone, make sure that it is something you truly believe. Do not be insincere. Do not play on people’s vanity. Today, you felt pressure to be pleasing to everyone. You do not need to be like anyone else. Just focus on what I’m doing inside of you. I’m working on all the cracks. I’m taking out the wax in your pillar to make you sincere. You don’t have to force it. If you choose to flatter people, you are keeping them from what I want to do in their lives. You are being selfish if you flatter them, because you are caring more about what they think about you than what is good for them. Avoid flattery, Laine. Also, be careful not to flatter yourself. I love a humble heart.

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for showing me this hidden fault. Please forgive me and lead me in Your way. Lord, I leave my selfishness at the cross. Please use me and mold me for Your purposes. I love You, Lord. Help me to be sincere and genuine in everything I say. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.