Pure Conscience

Solomon, the wisest man of all time, still stumbled and allowed things in his life that led him astray. He worshiped at the high places, which were used to sacrifice and burn incense in the pagan manner. For a time, even the bronze serpent was worshiped - faith was misplaced, in something that had no power of its own. (2 Kings 18:4)

1 Kings 3:3

Solomon loved the Lord, walking [at first] in the statutes and practices of David his father, only he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.

1 Kings 11:7

Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abominable idol of Moab, on the hill opposite Jerusalem, and for Molech the abominable idol of the Ammonites.

He also broke laws laid down in Moses' time by amassing horses from Egypt, riches, and foreign wives to himself.

2 Chronicles 1:14-16

Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, which he placed in the cities [suited for the use] of chariots and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver and gold in Jerusalem as common as stones, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamores of the lowland. Solomon’s horses were brought out of Egypt; the king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.

1 Kings 11:1-4

But King Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women—the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. They were of the very nations of whom the Lord said to the Israelites, You shall not mingle with them, neither shall they mingle with you, for surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods. Yet Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines, and his wives turned away his heart from God. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect (complete and whole) with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Deuteronomy 17:16-17 clearly states that no one ought to ever do such things, for they led to misplaced trust (in the chariots, which were the trump card in any battle, and also his riches which provided financial security and ease), and lowered defenses and standards [compromise], in trying to please others and fleshly desires (his foreign wives).

Unchecked sin, even small indulgent things, will wreak havoc in your life in every way. It comes back to bite you, no matter how small it is. Also see Judges 2:2-3.

Numbers 33:55

But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those you let remain of them shall be as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they shall vex you in the land in which you dwell.

Joshua 23:13

Know with certainty that the Lord your God will not continue to drive these nations from before you; but they shall be a snare and trap to you, and a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the Lord your God has given you.

Indulged sin - it pricks, vexes, scourges, traps. Sin will not be benign.

A dull and calloused conscience is the result of unchecked sin.

Ephesians 4:18-19

Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature]. In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand].

Unchecked sin and a calloused conscience is a deadly, grave danger. It only takes one sin to lead to much greater sin. It sets you off track, it manipulates your path and your moral compass.

Matthew 6:23

But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!

Titus 1:15

To the pure [in heart and conscience] all things are pure, but to the defiled and corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are defiled and polluted.

It is also wide open door for Satan to use. And he will use it.

1 Peter 5:8

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Be sober. Be vigilant, cautious. Be humble, sensitive. Seek the Lord, and do whatever it takes to remain in right standing with him and to keep your conscience pure and at peace.

Psalm 19:12-13

Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression.

Acts 24:16

Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.

Are Dirty Jokes Alright?

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Ephesians 5:3-4
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:11-12
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.

Proverbs 4:23-24
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

National Convention in Quotes

"This is going to be the best week of your daggum lives!"

Nathan Tifft

"When You said 'Seek my face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face , Lord, I will seek."

Psalm 27:8

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14

"And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

"You don't realize how God can be using you now."

Tommy Carrington

"It is well with my soul."

Horatio Spafford

"Your decisions deterimine your destiny, your dreams do not."

via John Stonestreet

"Don't run FROM vision, run TO it."

Tommy Carrington

"Waiting:  Diligenly focusing on what is right before us, while expecting God to move us forward when He's ready."

Daniel Solid

"The Lord is good to those wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Lamentations 3:25-27

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

Matthew 6:33

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less."

C. S. Lewis

"Element:  Where your passion and gifting meet."

Aaron Watson

"The secret to finding God's will is to walk in communion with Him."

Aaron Watson

"Take the next step."

Elisabeth Elliot

"Women lose their power when they part with their gentleness."

via Jordyn Wilson

"Don't compete with men; complete them."

Jordyn Wilson

"Faithfulness in one postition impacts the opportunity that you have in the next."

Tim Echols

"Proximity to power, is power."

Tim Echols

"You are nothing apart from Christ. But you are not apart from Christ."

Greg Harris

"What are the white lines?"

"The white lines? By His stripes we are healed, my friend!"

Nathan Tifft [wearing an argyl cardigan vest]

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last segment of Holier Than Thou fashions."

Nathan Tifft

The Old Lie

   If you have been reading my blog for any stretch of time, you may have figured out that carried-away feelings are one of my pet peeves. I saw a quote the other day that quite neatly proves what happens when you depend on your feelings.

   People say, "What's the point in liking someone who doesn't like you back?" They're right. There isn't a point. But you can't help who you like. It's not up to you. Your heart just kinda decides for you. And there's no turning back onces your heart makes up its mind.

   This quote was meant to be in favor of that old lie- "follow your heart". And it made my blood boil to read it! This is what teenage girls think is the truth. They don't examine their motives and feelings in light of God's truths, they're not seeking to please the Lord in their actions.

   Ladies (and gentlemen, perhaps), it is entirely your choice. You can let your heart lead you on a thousand wild goose-chases, or you can be the master of it. Your heart does not control you. If it does, you live a pathetic, misguided life indeed.

   I found a verse many years ago that has become my solid stand-by when frustating quotes such as these come across my path.

   "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desprately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:9-10

   The heart is deceitful! And desprately wicked! Do you really think that by following your heart, you will be led down the proper path?

   The Lord judges our actions, not our motives. It is far better to do what you know is right. Not what you feel is right.

   There, that was my rant. The end.

A Curious Policy

   Hello friends, I am writing this post on a whim, hoping for some feedback. Please let me know what you think.

   We are living in an age of communication. Gone are the days when messages were sent by foot, horse or rail. Old fashioned letter writing has been dubbed "snail mail", it's practically outdated. Phone conversations are even being replaced by computers and cell phones with endless options. People simply don't get to know eachother the same way we did 10 years ago. This calls for other things to change along with;  ettiquitte must be developed for these new means.

   I am writing this because I would like your opinion on a rule my mom laid down a few years ago. When I got my first cell phone and email account, there had to be restrictions laid down. (With great power comes great responsibilty, and all that jazz.) One most important rule was this:  That my sister and I, being girls, were not allowed to initiate texts, calls, emails, etc. to anyone of the opposite gender.

   Mind you, we were allowed to communicate with guys, as long as they texted/called/emailed first. This was a rule my mom strictly enforced, we even had our phones taken away once or twice for disobeying. The reasoning behind this was that we believe guys are meant to be initiators. If a guy wants to talk to, or get to know a girl, he can do so. He shouldn't wait long enough for a girl to become aggresive. And that leads to another point. We believe girls should not be initiators. I can think of several female friends of mine right off the bat, that would text other guys constantly. That made them look not only aggresive, but flirtatious and even desprate.

   That rule is still in place, though not as strictly enforced since April and I are older. And I've come to appreciate it very much. In my opinion, it hasn't ever harmed me, but rather helped. I would love to hear your feedback, please! I want to know what you think of this, was it a bit extreme? Or just perfect? Would you like to see more people putting this to practice?

In All Things

   I'd like you to meet a new 'friend' of mine, her name is Melanie Wilkes. Actually, I'm sure you already know her. She is everybody's favorite mistress from Gone With The Wind, the wife of Scarlett's lifelong forbidden love, Ashley Wilkes. I recently had the pleasure of seeing the movie for the first time, and I rather enjoyed it.

   I've had her and several other fictional ladies brought to my attention in the last few weeks, all women of similar character. Along with Melanie I've been reminded of Helen Burns from Jane Eyre, and Elsie Dinsmore. All three of these ladies are unforgettable, their actions speak volumes. They are forbearing, they suffer willingly, believe the best in others, are slow to judge, always giving the benefit of the doubt, and always quick to forgive. I understand that they are only fictional, but surely such a high standard shouldn't be ignored or laid aside. This morning my personal devos took me to Philippians 2:14-18, and it so perfectly describes these precious women.

   Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become {blameless} and {harmless}, children of God {without fault} in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you {shine as lights} in the world, {holding fast} the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

   Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

   There are many things to study in these verses, and I parenthesized the points that describe my heroines. Helen Burns from Charlotte Bronte's masterpiece was a willing sufferer. She accepted all her trials and persecutions as just punishment. She never focused on her pain, but looked forward to her eternal reward. Such character is blameless, unable to be criticized. Helen never misbehaved, she was picked on by her teachers who were scraping the bottom of the barrel to find something wrong with her. Helen was {blameless}.

   Of course the first thing everyone knows about Melanie is that she is such a forbearing soul. She loved Scarlett with every bit of sisterly affection, even when she had no obligation to. She defended Scarlett, even when the other girls justly accused her. Scarlett almost never did an unselfish act toward Melanie, but Melanie never complained. Even when Melanie heard of Scarlett's infidelity with her husband, she was the first to forgive. She could have been the first to shun, but she was the only one who believed in Scarlett's innocence. Melanie was {harmless}, innocent and pure. She was unable to hurt anyone, willingly or otherwise.

   Elsie Dinsmore was finally recognized by a father who had abandoned her to be raised by his own parents. He was not a servant of the Lord, and wanted Elsie to obey him, even to the point of causing her to disobey the Lord. She would not, however, and approached the brink of death in her fervency to serve the Lord. She never complained, Elsie was {without fault}. She was above reproach in her passion to follow the Lord.

   We live in a crooked and perverted world. What the world considers acceptable has deviated from God's standards, but these ladies wouldn't settle for "acceptable". They never complained, never argued. As John MacArthur says, those sins "demonstrate a lack of trust in God's providential will, boundless grace, and infinite wisdom and love." They never questioned or criticized what God was doing. Romans 8:28 says that ALL THINGS work together for good to those that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose. Helen always knew that the Lord had a reason for her to be at Lowood School, she was content where she was. Even though the teachers persecuted her, she knew suffering was a gift of the Lord.

   These ladies shine brightly, their impeccable character is unforgettable, and leaves us desiring to be just as admirable. The Lord tells us to shine, and because we are Christians, we will stand out in a crooked generation, just as a candle stands out in a dark room, or stars stand out in a night sky. A better interpretation of "holding fast" would be "holding forth". We are holding the standard, we are Christ's representatives and He's given us the capacity to shine for Him.

   Rejoice in the opportunities God has given you to suffer, don't complain. It's a gift of grace, to be oppressed for Christ's sake. Be a willing sacrifice for the Lord, believe the best in others, be blameless and above reproach. Lord, make me even a little more like these fictional heroines, always blessing your name, and bringing You glory.

TRUE LOVE | guard your heart

   Here I am, finally finding the time and motivation to start this project. I decided I would stick with several small posts, since my mind has been too overwhelmed to grasp the copious amount of quotes and verses. I've sorted them into several topics, and I'm planning on simply posting them, with a few comments of my own; things God has been teaching me throughout this year. I hope you can see more clearly what my heart has been struggling with, and how the Lord has been my one true love, my support, my guide, my sufficiency, my all-in-all. I hope and pray that He is yours as well.

   One thing I know all girls have struggled with since the beginning of time, is guarding our hearts. We are so emotionally driven, and whatever makes us blissfully happy, or joyfully teary-eyed, or sweetly sad is what holds our attentions and affections. We follow the leading of our deceitful hearts, and often give away so much of ourselves to something or someone who is never going to reciprocate. And our culture and media only prods us even further in that direction. Movies like Pocahontas that tell us to listen to our hearts, songs like "Your Love Is My Drug" that tell us that real love is a high feeling.

   I have prided myself on the control I have over my emotions, I'm usually able to rationalize through feelings, telling myself that they're only hormones. I can kill a crush stone dead before it even knows what hit it. But I'm still incredibly female, emotional roller-coaster included. I fell flat on my tush a few months back, my heart got tangled up in the desires of wanting to be in a relationship with a certain guy.  It had been almost years since I had had a crush that bad, I couldn't believe I was tripping over a bump that was miles behind me. It was driving me crazy, he was in control of all my thoughts, and I couldn't get him off my mind. I hated being so tangled up, and I spent all week trying to convince myself otherwise. How I hate being a girl sometimes...

   So to all you girls who have ever gone through a rough patch with your emotions - and that would be all of you, don't deny it - I'm right there with ya. And I've found a neat trick that sobers me up when I start planning our "first Christmas" and playing the name-game. I've heard it in various ways, and from different angles, but this one describes it most clearly. It's from the book "When God Writes Your Love Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy, and I highly recommend it, for both girls and guys. Eric wrote this, but I changed it up for all the girls, so it would make more sense:

   Just imagine that God has it in his mind to bring into your life someday a courageous and handsome husband who will make your heart skip a beat every time you look at him. Can you imagine that? Now I want you to also imagine that this impressive young man can see you right now. Pretend that he is capable of watching you, everywhere you go, and he is able to see everything you do. Okay then, if he could see and hear everything, ask yourself this question. “If he followed me around throughout my day, every day of my life, would he feel respected and honored, and adored by me as he watches me interact with other guys? Would he come away each day saying ‘She sure does love me!’ or would he be deeply hurt by the way I give what is his to other young men?”

   Does that not make your heart ache? I can only think with regret of the times I've not only let my husband down, but led someone else's husband astray. When I choose my outfit for the day, am I honoring my husband by what I'm going to wear? Or am I going to cause other young men to stare, and commit adultery in their hearts? What about your foolish flirting, does that honor your husband? What about the guy you obsessively text? What about the guy you Facebook stalk? Even if your husband isn't watching you, God is.

Here’s my heart, Oh take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

Your heart is the property of your husband, but most importantly, it belongs to God. He can take care of it for you, He will know the right person to give it to.

Song of Solomon 8:3-4  ~  His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.

   Lastly, don't go looking for love. God will bring it in at the right time. If you don't have a boyfriend, it's because you're not ready for one. A boyfriend isn't the best thing for you. Let your heart wait, keep it pure, like your virginity, for the one whom it belongs to.

Purify My Heart

In order for there to be a change, you have to realize that something's wrong. ~ Josh Cockroft

At National Convention this year, the theme was "Changing lives to change the world." I saw that theme and thought, "Oh dear, won't this be fun? I hate change." and then for the first period of worship that week, Josh started us off by saying that phrase:  In order for there to be a change, you have to realize that something's wrong. That hit me like a hammer. I don't ever like to think of myself as wrong - none of us do - but was I wrong? Was I there to change something that was wrong? Why was I there?

Proverbs 30:21 ~ There is a generation that is pure in it's own eyes, yet is not washed from it's filthiness. 

 I had the idea that I was doing okay in my walk with the Lord. As you know, my diligence in Bible reading was pretty askew, but I thought I had fixed that. I had an accountability partner and life was hunky-dory. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was between me and God.

Titus 1:15-16 ~ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

I didn't want change. I knew it would be painful to search my heart. So I decided I would learn, but I didn't need to change. God is so much wiser than me though. And He is sovereign, He does what He wants.

Matthew 5:8 ~ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

The first day had been a long one and I had lost the chance of reading my Bible on my own, so after lights out, I pulled out my phone and read my Bible in bed. I was in Matthew 5, and started reading the beatitudes. "Blessed are the meek and yaddah yaddah... Blessed are the pure in heart... Well now. Purity is quite a foreign topic nowadays. Purity and innocence aren't held in very high regard. In fact, they're rather scoffed at. The hip thing now is being gangsta and ghetto. Riding the border of sin, using filthy language, watching dirty movies and filling the heart with lustful music. Being pure in heart is a lot harder than it sounds, it's so unpopular. Scandal is fashionable, purity is not." That was what jump-started my week, the issue of purity in a fallen world.

In order to have a heart for change, you have to have a heart for the changer. ~ Chad Warren 

One of the speakers was Chad Warren, the one who had guest directed the Iowa State Class. I had met him before and heard him speak. The issue he opened up was idolatry, and how anything that becomes top priority in your life, other than God, was an idol. Now no one, including me, thinks of themselves as idol worshipers. I'm certainly not bowing down to my car, or going gaga over a certain guy or celebrity. But what he said was true, there were certain things in my life that occupied my thoughts more than Christ. God began to work in my heart.

James 4:8 ~ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

The thing that weirded me out was that purity kept reoccurring. In my small group in the next day, we approached it on a rabbit trail. And there was one other girl who stated exactly what I had been thinking in my Bible study the night before. Coincidence?

Psalm 19:12-13 ~ Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. 

It came up in a song in worship, called Refiner's Fire. The first lyrics are:  Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. It seemed rather appropriate.

Acts 3:19 ~ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord... 

Then came the night that we split up into prayer groups. There were many topics addressing the government, the church, missions, abortion, families, the military, etc. And purity. I knew I had to go with that group. There was no other option that made as much sense. We prayed for purity in every aspect, sexual purity, mental, spiritual. Courage to remain pure amongst friends. It was convicting.

Isaiah 44:22 ~ I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to me for I have redeemed you.

And then we went back into the auditorium to worship. Worship after everyone's heart has been tuned with prayer is always the most deep and genuine and that night was no exception. Not a dry eye could be found, hearts were broken and the Spirit moved through everyone. He convicted me of things I hadn't even thought to be a problem. And He liberated me! Oh the joy of giving it all to the Lord and having my self washed clean!

Ezekiel 11:19-20 ~  Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statues and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be my people, and I shall be their God.

He gave me a new heart of flesh! This verse had been one discussed in small groups and throughout the week, and not until I got home did I realized my mom had been praying this one for me. A young man in our  small group had said that every time we sin, our hearts become less tuned to the Spirit's pricks, more callused and stony. How true! I hadn't even realized how far I had strayed from God. I earnestly prayed that He would fetter me to Himself, and not let me become so callused again.

Romans 12:1 ~ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

The words conformed and transformed in the Greek are in the passive tense. You don't conform or transform yourself, those things are being done to you. It all depends on the position you have put yourself in. Don't allow the world to conform you! Position yourself to be transformed by God. Even if you don't, He'll still do what He wants, and He can make you learn the hard way.

Philippians 4:8 ~ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy - meditate on these things.

Ask the Lord to keep your heart pure, don't let the world conform you, don't become callused and stony. Ask the Lord what you have idolized. What or who is standing in His place? The Lord ought to be your one desire.

Desiderio Domini

                           {I long to be with my Savior}