The Truth of Alissa Lynne
by Alissa Lynne - Purple Butterfly of Christ
Chapter 10 - Fellowship/Life
Have you
ever sat back and thought about your life and wonder if you are headed in
the right direction? Have you ever sat back and wondered about the
decisions that you have made? Have you ever just said why the heck did I
do that? Well, if you have, it is okay to do so but we must let go of the
past and move on towards our future. What is our future, our future should
be looking towards God and what He would want for our lives. We need to
make sure that in all things we are following what God would have us to
do. If we look to God and move towards Him and follow His direction, we
will not sit around wondering if our life is headed in the right
direction, we would not sit around wondering about the decisions that we
have made, we would know that we are headed in the right direction and
that our lives are on the right track.
"Trust in the LORD with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
We should
really "Let go and Let God". All we have to do is take the first step and
hold our hand out for Him. There will be times when He holds our hands and
there will be times that He carries us, but He loves us and will lead us
in the right direction at all times. When was the last time you talked to
God - just open your heart and allow Him to come in and love you as only
God can!
Life is Too Short!
Thinking
over my life and the things that have happened to me, I have come to
realize that life is too short to be worried about the big and little
things. I know that as life throws things at me, nothing comes at me that
I cannot handle. Why is that? It is because God never allows things to
come at us that we cannot handle. God is always there for us and all we
have to do is ask Him to do it. We need to stop and listen to the inner
voice inside of us and follow the direction that He leads us in. Many
times when I tell people the things that I have been through in my life,
some of them due to my own decisions; they wonder how I made it through. I
made it because God carried me or held my hand. I am here today to say
that all things are possible; all we need is faith and trust in God and in
ourselves. I had a self-esteem problem for a very long time, then one day
I realized that I was worth it, that I was special, that no matter what
life throws at me - I will get through it. When life is at its darkest,
God is at His best for us. Just trust and know that through Christ, that
all things are possible. We just have to learn to let go and let God.
Helping and Encouraging Others
Romans 15:1-2 King James Version- We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of
the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his
neighbour for his good to edification.
New International Version - We who are strong ought to bear with the failings
of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his
neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Amplified Bible - WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust
faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender
scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of
others] and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us make it a practice
to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare,
to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].
As Christians
we are to encourage each other save and unsaved. We are to lift each other
up with prayer, encouragement, love and support. We should listen to each
other, talk to each other with an uplifting spirit and even sometimes
giving more than our time but give our money too. Regardless if the person
is saved or not, we are to be a light unto this dark world and we are to
shine brightly. We are needed in this world; we are needed more than ever.
We need to be vocal about the goodness of the Lord in voice and in
actions. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. We are to
give to others as God gives to us. We need to give, give, and give some
more. When I give my time, encouragement, love, money or skills to someone
in need, I am blessed in a way like no other. I am blessed with feeling
good for through me – God blessed another. Let us uplift one another in
love! Let us truly show the world that we are children of God and show the
world how good God is. In all things that we do let us give God all the
glory, honor and credit for our lives!
Appreciating Those Around Us
We think
about all those in our life past and present. There are so many who have
come and gone in our lives, each of them have left some kind of mark on
our heart. Some experiences have been so enjoyable and pleasant while
others have been dreaded and scary. Each experience with the people around
us molds us into who we are today and we should appreciate that aspect of
those who have touched our lives. We are to take the bad things along with
the good things and to smile and not allow the bad to determine our
outcome of our life.
Because I
was a victim of different kinds of abuse, I have a habit sometimes of
hiding within, not trusting people. I thank God for giving me the courage,
knowledge, trust, faith, and love to allow people into my life. Those of
us who have been victims of abuse know that we have a tendency to put a
"mask" on so those that know us do not know what is going on with us. I
was blessed to become aware of the fact that my sisters and brothers do
not know me as they know each other or as I know them. At first, I was
bothered by this but God showed me that it was not my fault, life
circumstances made it that way. Since we all grew up in the same
household, my sisters and brothers were not aware of what was going on
with the abuse that I was getting. My step father of course wanted it
hidden and in essences I thought that I was protecting them by not saying
anything and saving them from the same pain that I was going through, well
to do that I had to distant myself from them. Well even after the abuse, I
still was distant because that is all I knew how to be. It was not until
after the death of my mother did I allowed anyone to come close to my
heart. I sometimes blame myself for my failed marriage because I never
really let him into my heart and maybe if I did things would have been
different, but God has blessed me despite the choices I have made in my
life.
If you
have not taken the time to think about your life and those that have
affected you in all ways – take some time to do so. I encourage you to not
just to think about those that either hurt/harm you or to think only about
those that helped you, but to think of all of them and reflect on how they
have helped make you the person that you are today. If there are negative
effects from them on your life, ask God to help you change it to positive
for all things work together for the good of them that are called
according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Do not look at the negative things
that life has dealt to you in the negative – remember that God is with us
at all times. God is good to us at all times and at all times God is good
– so take the time to think about where you are and where you are headed –
make sure that you are following the directions that God has mapped out
for your life.
Matthew 22:36-38 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
We are to
love one another...regardless of the person's ethic background, regardless
of the person's lifestyle, regardless of the person's sex, the persons
thoughts and doings...we are to love one another. We are to love each
other...so many times we walk past those in need and just shake our heads,
we should be reaching out to each other in love and assisting each other
in the ways that God would have us to assist. We are to feed the hungry,
cloth the naked and minister to each other's souls. Christians and
non-believers are to love one another. As a Christian, we never know whom
we will inspire by being as God has us to be. The light of the Lord in us
should draw others to Jesus. If our lights are dim or gone out...then we
need to light them again and worship God as He has asked us to do so. We
should be praising and thanking God all the time reaching out to each
other in our times of sorrow and in the times of joy. We are all one body
in Christ and we should help. I just can not say this enough...we should
each be helping our fellow human beings and not just those that are saved
but to all that are in need of help for that is what Jesus does and we are
to be like Him.
Together for Christ
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their
labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion, but woe to him
who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if
two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a
threefold cord is not quickly broken."
I ran
across these verses and thought – Wow that is a lot to think about. When I
read that, I think that we should be there for each other and that we
should help each other. I am hoping that we can learn to help each other
instead of relying on ourselves. We as Christians should help each other
and really be there for each other when needed. We should uplift each
other and not bring each other down. We should encourage each other's
spirit and growth in the Lord.
There are
Christians who will hold all the blessings that God has given them to
themselves and not share or assistance others and this is not what God
would have us to do. We should be there for each other lifting each other
and assisting each other. How can we expect Jesus to be there for us in
our time of need when our fellow brethren need us and we turn our backs on
them? How can we claim to be a Christian never doing as God would have us
to do, never helping anyone, and never being there for anyone else. How
can we not give the love that Jesus gives us to others, how can we hold
that in and never let it go and give it away as He gives it away to us. It
feels so good when we let go and love as much as we can. I really believe
that the key to it all is the love of Christ and that is what the message
of Jesus is – to love one another. If we would do this , there would be so
much peace in the world, so much kindness, no hunger, no one would want
for anything as we would be there to help each other. I have to say that
the section that says, "And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
– that makes me think of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
– a threefold cord. Isn't that wonderful such a great thought!
Guidance for Growing Christians
2 Peter 1:2-11 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus
our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to
life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory
and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious
promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also
for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to
virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,
to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to
brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you
will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness,
and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore,
brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for
if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be
supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ."
For growth
as a Christian, we need to surround ourselves with things and people who
are in line with Christ. We should have our minds on Christ and to
surround ourselves with Christian friends. I am a baby in Christ and I
find myself purposely listening to only Gospel music and surround myself
with Christian friends, this helps me keep my mind on God. I study the
word every day and even write down my thoughts and that helps me so much
with keeping God first. In verses 5 and 6, the line up of the different
values shows God's perfect way and order of things. "Giving diligence +
faith virtue + virtue knowledge + self-control perseverance + perseverance
godliness + godliness brotherly kindness + brotherly kindness love" I see
that as a progression of a Christian, we need to be diligent and that
brings on faith and so forth.
God is
really in control, He has perfect order and we should sit back and ask God
to input order in our lives. God will order our steps in perfect order! He
is so awesome, all we have to do it let go and
let Him do His will in our lives. As a newbie in Christ – it is not
easy to Let go and Let God, I see "old timers" in Christ struggle with
that each day. I am just thankful that I can call on Jesus, He will help
me in doing that each day, and when I am weak, He is there for me being
strong for me!
Peace and Quiet
Romans 14:18-19 For he that in these things
serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore
follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may
edify another.
I am a
single mother of one child; it is my son and me. We have others who
interact with us, but it is just him and me for now. I spend a lot of time
with my son, talking to him, making sure homework is done and he practices
his letters and numbers, just like a "Mean Mommy" does. This also includes
playing trucks and whatever he wants to play...I thought sending him outside
to play would give me some peace and quiet time...but this is not true as to
the fact I have to make sure everything is okay and of course whatever he
is doing outside, I have to see because there is no one else who can
appreciate the traffic jam he created with his trucks like mommy can,
sending him to play in his room is the same thing, I have to be available
to compliment him on the successful cleaning of his room and other things
that he has done.
I used to
think before children, two or more children gives the children someone to
play with and the parents more free time...that was until my niece and
nephews came over to play with Jonathan. The good thing was Jonathan had
someone to play with that was not me, but the other side was I had someone
coming to me every few minutes telling me...he hit me...or she won't share and
so forth...so there goes the peace and quiet.
My son is
in the process of learning what mommy means by "Peace and Quiet" – I
remember my mom saying how she wanted "Peace and Quiet" in our house, but
there was four of us and I know that she did not get it often – for one of
us was always home.
I have
learned "Peace & Quiet" for me is going into prayer – lying still at night
or in the morning – meditating on Jesus. I love the "Peace & Quiet" in the
morning, when I first open my eyes in the morning and I do not need to
move, that is the ultimate time for me to talk to Jesus for that is my
"Peace & Quiet". I hear Him so clear; my thoughts are pure, loving, and
appreciative at that time of the day. What a blessing to wake up that way,
when you beat the alarm clock even if it is only by ten minutes, use those
minutes to talk to Jesus, once you start you will not get out the bed
without doing it. There is my "Peace and Quiet" I wonder if my mom ever
figured it out...
Light of the World
Matthew 5:14-16 "You
are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in
heaven."
We are
children of God, we are the light of the world, and the world should see
the love of Christ within us. They should see His light shine through us.
We should boldly speak of Christ and His goodness to us. We should walk as
He would have us. We are to be an example of His love so that others want
what we have. We should show calmness, peace, joy, love, and understanding
during trials and tribulations, singing His praises and being satisfied
that He is handling it.
When I saw
someone do that before I accepted Christ in my life, it intrigued me to
know how they remained so calm. This in turn had me seeking God's love
when I had pain and turmoil all around me. I saw His light shine in
someone else and wanted that peace for me that reminds me be careful of
what we say and do, as we never know who maybe called to God or hindered
because of us! We are to be reflections of Christ so that others see Him
in us. If we say we are Christians and in the club on Saturday night, or
even as simple as gossiping about our fellow co-worker what light does
that show of Christ, it is sure is not a positive one.
Oh one
more thing on my heart, do not serve God ½ way. So many times, I have run
into Christians, well people who say they are saved and sanctified
Christians, they do not attend church services, they are doing bootie
calls or have friends with benefits, my heart aches for these Christians,
I pray God will convict them, they know God and have chosen to ride the
fence or are considered "lukewarm".
Revelation 3:15-21 "I know your works, that you
are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then,
because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out
of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have
need of nothing'–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor,
blind, and naked–I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire,
that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that
the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with
eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.
Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If
anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine
with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me
on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His
throne."
I have a lot of friends who are this way, my thoughts can only convict me,
but I know I am seeking God's favor and I may stumble and I may fall but I
am still seeking His favor and getting back up.
Forget That Man – Praise God Instead
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation
be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Praise God in all things. We
are so busy worried about what that man is doing, the man we are dating,
the man we are married to, the man we are waiting God to bring to us. We
are so busy doing all of that instead of praising God in all things that
we do. We are so busy doing whatever we can for every one else but not
praising God as we go. We need to praise the Lord when we do not
understand, we need to praise God when he did not come home, we need to
praise God when we are lying alone and so scared. We need to praise God in
all things and stop sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves.
When we praise God the
wonders of the Lord comes through. He makes the entire situation all
right; He makes things just so wonderful and so great. God is just so
awesome. It is not by chance that praising God makes you feel better.
Praising God makes you feel better because you are not thinking of you.
Whenever we get the concentration off us and place our minds on the Lord,
the wonders of God released in our lives. You will see that it does not
matter that it was 4 AM and that husband of yours came home. You will not
even care for you know that God is handling it. It will not matter that
the man you thought God sent you has now walked away from you because some
other sister in church cooks better. You will
not care for God has changed your
heart about the situation anyhow.
When we praise God and stop trying to
handle things, we in line with the word of God and our will becomes His
will for our lives. We are blessed to be able to call on the Lord
in all things that we do. We need to let the Lord move in our lives and
let His direction be the only direction of our lives.
So when we are faced with
things that are not so pleasant, praise your way out, if you cannot praise
God, call someone and talk to them until you can praise God.
There are times that I have
allowed the enemy so deep into my thoughts that I cannot get praise out. I
will be on the phone with a friend and just cannot praise God, but they
start to praise Him and I might not even respond then but there is
something about the way Jesus is and how just mentioning His name can
start to break me down. I may not praise right that second but by the end
of that day, I start to praise the Lord for all that He does! God is too
good not to praise Him in all things.
I leave you with this – there
is nothing in the world that can separate us from the love of God. God
loves us and His love is the only way.
God Bless my sister and
Praise Him and forget that man!
Romans 8:35-39 Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as
sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Copyright © 2000-2023 All Rights Reserved.
Excellent Christian Resources
Holy Spirit ... This is one of the most awesome gifts you will ever receive or share.
When you have finished this The Truth of Alissa Lynne, Chapter 10 - Fellowship/Life free E-book, you can also check out some of the other Christian entertainment, games, music, books, mall, studies and programs within our Christian community below: