Sunday, September 30, 2012

Is There Bitterness In Your House?

If resentment, anger and hostility gain a foothold in your life, they will diminish your effectiveness for God

I was once scheduled to speak at an annual women's conference at the Potter's House in Dallas. Before I arrived, I prepared the teaching I planned to give, "Is There a Lady in the House?" in which I describe two kinds of women: the industrious one lauded in Proverbs 31 and the "keeper at home" Paul writes about in Titus 2. But just as I was getting up to preach, the Lord told me, "You can't preach that message tonight."

At first I tried to convince Him to change His mind. But He reminded me that I was on assignment. I knew I had to say whatever He instructed, empowered and encouraged me to say--regardless of the risk or cost. And He wanted me to ask not "Is there a lady in the house?" but "Is there bitterness in the house?"

A Root of BitternessWhy bitterness? Because we cannot be the women God desires us to be when there is a root of bitterness in our souls.

You know what bitterness in the natural is. Something that leaves an acrid, lingering taste in your mouth. Something that is unpleasant, distasteful, galling and unpalatable.

Bitterness of soul is also unpleasant. It develops as a result of facing something that is grievous, difficult to accept or extremely painful. It is marked by harshness, resentment and deep animosity. And it sounds something like this:

Endeavor to keep a due guard over your words, that you may habitually speak nothing but what is true on all occasions. Consider what a high offence it is against the God of truth to speak falsely, either through design or inadvertence.

In telling any story or relating past actions be careful to speak deliberately and calmly, ever remembering you are in the presence of the great and holy God. Every sin is a contradiction and offence to some divine attribute. Lying is opposite and offensive to the truth of God.

Whenever you find any extraordinary assistance from the Spirit of God, either by illuminating the mind, strengthening the soul or raising the affections, be sure for some time after to keep a stronger guard upon yourself. I have often observed that after the greatest enlargements in prayer and the greatest professions of devotedness to God, we are permitted to fall into great temptations.

I humbly conceive this to be commonly for one of these reasons: (1) to try the sincerity of the mind, to show us whether or not we are in our outward conversation the same we profess to be in our retirements; (2) to humble the mind, which upon such occasions is too apt to be elated.

No Longer Addicted

Any traumatic occurrence can lead to a life of desperation and idolatry, but Christ can set you free from addictions and compulsive habits

It's 6 a.m., and the alarm is beeping relentlessly. Decision time: Slap the "snooze" bar, or up and at 'em?

These days my feet hit the floor with great anticipation for what the Lord has planned for me. In prayer and in His Word, I get my marching orders for the 24 hours ahead.

Giving God Everything

Jennie Allen discusses the story of a young Christ-follower leading a risky, uncomfortable life, which led her to question her own faith.

Watch as Allen shares how she and her husband were led to give God everything and pledge to do anything He leads them to do.

This article was featured in our free email publication, SpiritLed Woman e-Magazine, sign up here.

Spiritled Woman

http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/15583-giving-god-everything

'Hotel Transylvania': Monsters Can Be Funny

In a world where humans fear monsters and zombies, enterprising vampire Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) builds a secret castle getaway for monsters from all over the world to relax and have a screaming-good time.

Dracula has invited his monster friends to the hotel for daughter Mavis’ (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday bash. Jonathan, a human (Andy Samberg), stumbles across the castle. He takes an interest in Mavis. Now, Dracula must choose between the safety of the castle and his daughter’s happiness. With a fully booked hotel and a big party to plan, this is one hairy problem to solve.

From Sony Pictures Animation, Hotel Transylvania is not your typical animated monster movie. There are a few frightening moments, but the fright element is mostly treated humorously. Instead, what takes center stage are the colorful characters and great comedy. The movie has some hilarious moments, great visuals and incredible voice talents. It’s a movie the whole family will enjoy.

A Secret Shame

DOUGLAS WEISS, PH.D.

sad, ashamed woman — (© J0sefino/StockFreeImages.com)

Many men struggle with sex addictions. But in the United States today, a growing number of women also are falling prey to pornography and perversion.

Marsha is a 32-year-old woman who appears to have a perfect life. She is the attractive, healthy wife of a successful doctor in town and the mother of a terrific little boy. She began our first counseling session by saying, "I have everything going for me, but I have a problem I am so ashamed of that I can hardly tell you."

If we truly want to see the Holy Spirit transform our communities, here’s how we can prepare ourselves for His coming

Only God can transform a community, but there are several things we can do to prepare for His arrival. Here’s a short list of considerations.

1. Picture true success. In short, a transformed community is a neighborhood, city or nation where values and institutions have been overrun by the grace and presence of God; a place where divine fire has not merely been summoned, it has fallen; a society in which natural evolutionary change has been disrupted by invasive supernatural power; a culture that has been impacted comprehensively and undeniably by the kingdom of God; a location where kingdom values are celebrated publicly and passed on to future generations.

2. Discern your condition. Obscured Jeopardy Syndrome is a condition that prevails in communities where serious illnesses are not readily discernible. The primary symptom is a false sense of security, and the only remedy is to ask God to help us see things as they really are. This revelation helps us avoid superficial assessments based on how circumstances are affecting us personally, as well as what prior experience has taught us is normal.

Sandwiches For You

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