Entry One

[Shan]

I'm excited to start this new journey. I will say I don't know what God is calling me to do just yet, if there is a specific place for me to be. I'm a peacemaker so maybe something to do with that. But starting this study has shown me I need to start praying for His direction so I can be used to my full capacity.

I know He has called me to be Christ to my unsaved family members. We're a close family. We all live within 15 miles of eachother.

It has been difficult at times because they just don't get me. I get them because I used to be like them. They love me and accept me as different but think I'm weird sometimes! But that's okay, I understand, as God's word says it's foolishness to those who are perishing. God has given me strength to endure through life with my family and thankfully they are open to who I am so I have hope where there concerned.

Shan

[realtmg]

Shan,
This verse hit me as I read your post pertaining to your family.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

GBU

Real

[Shan]

Thanks for sharing that word with me. I'ts a good reminder.

Shan

[Shan]

Okay something from today's study that is troubling me is, Do I look Christ-like?

I would say at times I do but for the most part I do wear eye make-up and blush, sometimes perfume, earrings occasionally and clothes that are tight in the rear end, not skin tight but not loose either. Before I met my husband I was much worse in this area but he being a christian man helped me to change into more appropriate appearance. Does God really want us women to stop wearing makeup? I'm being serious! And what about doing our hair or are we not to do that either? I'm a little lost here in this area as I was never taught properly. Also my husband likes that I wear eye make-up, he actually comments on it.

Shan

[Mackenaw]

Hello Shan

God bless you this day.

Shan, remember God's Word will never condemn one of His children, but He will often correct. In this day and age, many of us came to know The Lord, or began our walk with The Lord, when we were older. Having a lifetime, if you will, of worldly teachings and influences that molded us, having taught us many things that are contrary to God and His Word. So, sometimes if can feel like our new life in Christ -- with The Lord -- is constant correction, and mannnnnnnnnn can that start feeling like "do I ever do anything right?"

We don't need makeup. However, many of us use makeup, and it's not going to keep us out of Heaven. Grace, Grace, Grace!!! God's Word unfolds itself, or reveals itself/Himself to us in portions. Remember, we are no longer under Law, but under Grace, and The Holy Spirit is doing the miraculous inside us -- changing us from the inside out. If the thought of not wearing makeup made you gulp and made you want to stop reading anymore of His Word, (((hugs))) awwwwwwwww, that's not what God wants. He loves you, perfectly, Shan. Confess whatever feelings you are having to Him, and ask Him to help you -- to renew you, and get back at it, Shan. You've been doing well in seeking Him, so don't give up. He truly loves you. You'll find in the course of time, through the working of The Holy Spirit inside you that your thoughts and opinions and the desires of your heart changes -- it's just so cool how He does that in us. We need only to continue to seek Him, He does the changing in us.

There are still some scriptures that make me gulp and think, oh wow, I'll never be good enough. But, The Holy Spirit is quick to remind me that I'm loved and the work that He is doing still continues within me. I'm not loved by The Lord because I'm good, I'm loved by The Lord because He is so Good. We're His workmanship, Shan. He can be trusted to complete that blessed work -- that blessed transformation He has begun in you.

Prayers are rising to our Lord in the name of Jesus on your behalf. May God's blessed will be done.

God bless and keep you, Shan.
In Christ Jesus' love,
Sister Mack

[Shan]

Mack,

Thank you! Your post was extremely encouraging to me.

God has been correcting me as I trust and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me. When I look back at who I've been I realize how many things have changed inside of me because of who God is calling me and created me to be. Gotta keep on getting closer to God that's all I can do and trust in his perfect will and timing for everything.

In Christ,
Shan