Truth or Consequence

Our class this week was about Truth or Consequence (chapter 1) from the book  “Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free.”

All quotes are in blue from this book.

Most of us don’t mind hearing a little bit of truth, but the whole truth, now that can make us uncomfortable. When Truth is spoken you can be sure that Satan will stir up trouble.  He might make you believe that you are being  judged by another “sinner.” Or he may offer up the question “Did God really say?”

We need to be very aware of the enemy’s lies. To know when deception has been wrapped beautiful with a small amount of Truth. Remember, he weaved in truth with deception as he was tempting Jesus in the desert. Satan, by no means, would never place something before anyone that would be ugly and unappealing, now would he. If we are honest, there’s a certain aroma of pleasure when we are being tempted. The smell, it’s alluring. The taste, it’s so sweet. You can even feel it in the air.  But once you're there, darkness begins to consume you and death closes in. It’s not what you expected. You now find yourself even farther from the Truth.

  

Nancy makes this statement “listening to a viewpoint that was contrary to God’s word put Eve on a slippery slope that led to disobedience, which led to physical and spiritual death.”  

I don’t know about you, but I’ve stood in front the serpent listening to his sales pitch, and then believing it, and finally, acting on it. Big mistake! It lead me away from God. Eventually, I found a place where no one would see my shame. No one, but God. Just like in the garden, God called out “Where are you?” Now, he knew where I was. But He calls out to us, so that we will realize just how hidden we’ve become.

So, where do we hide? Could it be in the movies we are watching, magazines that we are reading or television shows that tell us there is no "absolute Truth." I sure did like my soap operas and Jackie Collin novels. They took me to a place that made me feel good and reminded just how much I hated my married life. Oh, an during that time, my marriage was going down a slippery slope. And yes, I was a Christian.


Nancy writes "every act of sin in our lives begins with a lie."

I bought into the lies of the enemy and have dealt with the consequences. It took me along time to realize how Satan deceived me, and he even made me believe that he really didn't exist.

So, what I've learned along the way, is by listening to ideas or thoughts that don't line up with God's Truth sets us on the path to destruction.

Here's a piece of truth that God has placed in my heart... The Truth is what brings us to God as we leave ourselves behind.

The truth is Jesus came to testify to the truth. (John 18:37)
The truth is the path WE choose may seem right (Proverbs 14:12)
The truth is His Word sanctifies us. (John 17:17)

John 8:31-32 (Message) Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."
Are you willing to live out God's Truth?

Convinced

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Last Wednesday was our first women’s bible class for the fall season. I, along with my friend Debbie, will have the privilege teaching from the book “Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Set Them Free” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I highly recommend this book. I hope to share with you in the weeks to come my thoughts that I will be presenting to the class.

Genesis 3:6 The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too

As I was reading this verse,  this statement got my eye…The woman was convinced.

I was convinced that the grass was greener on the other side. That’s why my first marriage ended after 10 years and my second was spinning out of control until the Truth grabbed my heart. I was convinced that the night life would fulfill me rather then home life. Through all these feelings, and that is just what they are, feelings, I was convinced.

Instead of writing the rest of this message, I have attempted to video tape. Enjoy.

 
I'd like to thank my husband for putting together these videos, especially the blooper.
As you can see, he was quite amused with the "clearing my throat" which he added three times :(

Just Wondering

I believe that many of us are curious, yet afraid, to ask the question " Why would someone choose to have an abortion, especially when they claimed to be Christan."
Several months ago I received this email and with her permission I would like to share it with you. To protect her privacy I will refer her to : Just Wondering

(if anyone has a question, general or personal, about this subject please don't hesitate to ask. You can send me a email or leave it in your comment.)

You may not know me, but I attend your church First Assembly of God. I remember you talked about healing a broken marriage and how you were able to make it through some really hard times together. I saw your website, and I have some questions. Why do people chose abortion rather than adoption? I can understand if your life is in danger or the child may be severely deformed. I believe that a woman should have a choice because no child should be brought into this world 'unwanted.' However, I have had three pregnancies - two were miscarried. My last miscarriage was in January of 2009. Since then, I have looked into oversees adoption, but the cost is ridiculous, and $20,000 is a modest estimate when all is said and done. My husband and I have taken classes at DSS to adopt locally, but things kept interfering. We asked God for His wisdom and His will in our lives and these 'interruptions' were our answer. So, why do women chose abortion rather than giving the child up for adoption? We would love to offer a child the security of a 2 parent family and the love that God has given us to share.

Signed,

Just Wondering

Dear Just Wondering,

Yes, I do remember you and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you ...no excuses, just life is busy. Your question is a good one and I wish I had one perfect answer, but I don't.

Women choose abortion for many reasons. It may be they are afraid to tell their parents, her parents are embarrassed that their daughter is pregnant, or the boyfriend has walked away. The real reason is 75% have abortions because it will interfere with their lives and plans, sad but true!

Which leads me into your comment ..."I can understand if your life is in danger or the child may be severely deformed. I believe that a woman should have a choice because no child should be brought into this world 'unwanted". This comment is so common, so please don't be offended with what I'm about to say. I used to believe the same thing, that if there was a "real” reason to have an abortion, then we should have the right to choose and it needs to be legal...but that is a lie from Satan himself.

Only 1% of all abortions occur because of incest, rape or fetal abnormalities, and 4% are due to health issues. Shocking isn't it? No child is "unwanted." Someone is willing to love that child, and your desire to adopt proves that.

To be adopted is a wonderful gift for any woman could give her child, and I'm living proof because I was adopted. When I meet with girls at the CPC where I volunteer, this is their reaction to the suggestion of adoption. "I could never carry my baby for 9 months and then give it up" and that statement follows this "I'm going to have an abortion. I can't have a baby; it's not the right time." The conflicting statements don't make a lot of sense, do they?

We, as a community, don't encourage adoption. And you're right, it is so expensive.

When I had my abortion, it was for no other reason than "I didn't want to have a baby". When I meet women like my old self, they too wish that they could go back and take the child(ren) that was aborted, kiss their precious face, and hear them say "Mommy". I regret taking the life of my child and now believe that abortion shouldn't ever be a 'choice' ... period.

I hope this gives you some clarity on why women have abortions. If you have any more questions, please email or grab me at church.

I will be praying that the Lord gives you your heart's desire to have another child.

BloodMoney....Must see!

Received this in my email from Abortion Recovery InterNational.

Stacy Massey writes:

"An amazing father and son team:David and Nick Kyle have put together a new
movie called Bloodmoney, that will literally knock your socks off.  I don't want
to share much more than that... you watch the trailer and be the judge...."

By Their Testimony

Revelation 12:11
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by their testimony.

Our testimony is a declaration of the situations God has brought us through.

I wonder why it's so hard to tell others where we've been. I remember the first time standing in front of a group of women sharing how God healed my marriage. I was baring my soul right down to the last detail, well, not quite. There was one secret I was never going to share. It was the reason I chose to have an abortion, to keep it a secret, because if I had chosen to do the adoption plan there would've been to many questions. I wasn't ready to face the questions, but little did I know that it would be much harder to face the secret.

A couple of years later, God gave me another opportunity to share my testimony but this time my husband was standing at my side. We were involved with the marriage ministry at our church. One of our pastors was having classes on marriage and asked if we would give our testimony. So, there we both stood as a couple, telling of how God took this hopeless marriage and gave it hope. I had become very comfortable, actually you could say unashamed of how awful our marriage was until we got to the part that had never been uncover...our abortion.

We had discuss early that it was time to expose this secret, it was a part of us and it needed to be told.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I could feel a heaviness pressing against my chest and my legs became weak. I thought to myself "Am I going to pass out?" Then I felt my husband's arm starting to tighten around my waist as he took over to tell of the horrible sin we had committed. Within minutes our story had come to an end and God's Story was beginning.

My eyes scanned the room, and what I saw next was so unexpected. Those who were listening were still there. Some were smiling as if to encourage us, and others had tears in their eyes telling us that they,too were mourning our lost. At the end of our testimony, some approached us comforting us with words, while others offered us a hug. From that day on I knew I needed to share my story (God's Story) in order to have victory over the enemy.

Some of you have asked how it went last week in giving my testimony. Well, I didn't lose my breath and my legs were strong as I shared the secret that was once hidden. The room was very quiet and from what I could see ( the lights were in my eyes) no one was moving. This is a subject that doesn't get much of a response outwardly, however I know that God's Word never comes back void.

So, I believe He's working in someone's heart who was there that night listening to my story and thinking...I'm not the only one.

Do you remember when He stirred your heart to uncover the sin that once kept you captive?

Telling My Secret

At church tonight we will showing the movie "Tilly" before I share my testimony. Tilly is a powerful story of a mother who find forgiveness from God and her child that she aborted 9 years ago. There are events that take place that pushes her secret to surface which brings on a dream. In this dream she meets her daughter in a heaven and for the first time holds her, not just in her arms but also in her heart. It's very powerful!

God used this story 11 years ago to speak to my heart about my secret sin. Please pray that those who are dealing with this loss will not run from the Cross but to it.

Find Rest

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

^28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

God's way is:

Not demanding but delightful

Not tiring but refreshing

Not frustrating but peaceful

Not restless but restful