True words, no matter how soft, can often be offensive. I had that experience while on retreat recently with some women from my church. One of my fellow retreaters, remind me oh so very gentley how important it is to remember that the Father delights in me (in all of us actually) and that I should not feel condemned by my sin. These incredibly true and powerful words are at the very heart of the gospel message. And yet when they were shared with me, my pride was set off and I began to feel the need to explain that of course I don't feel condemned, I just feel the need to confess my sin, I KNOW better than to feel condemned. I could even cite Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ..."
It took me the rest of day to receive God's grace that was extended to me through a sister in Christ. And as I began to see through my own pride I felt reminded of how important the gospel is for us all! For believers and non believers or unbelievers or anyone really the gospel is life! I need the gospel spoken to me each day, many times a day in fact! And I especially need it when feeling convicted of my sin. In fact it is the gospel message that leads me from conviction and confession to restoration with God rather than condemnation. Because the gospel is this...that "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us."
Friday, October 19, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Salvation Stories
Today I had a great conversation with Silas about the gospel. I wanted to have a way to remember our conversation so after I put all the kiddos down for a nap, I ran to my computer and jotted down a record of what we discussed. It was such a fun thing to do and I am so grateful that the idea popped into my head! As I began writing, the story turned into more of a letter written from me to him. I could picture him reading it one day when he is older and I am sure that I will want to read again and again too! I created a special folder called "Salvation Stories" on my computer and within I made a special folder just for Silas. I saved it with the date and now its tucked away for our family to enjoy for years to come! I plan to write more letters like this to Silas and to each of my other kids as well. I am confident that they Lord will use this to continue to bless our family! And I pray that he finds a way to bless yours as well!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Luke James Carroll
We welcomed this little guy into our family on July 18th, 2012!
He is almost 3 months old now and its taken me until now to get some time away to share his birth story here on the blog! Better a little late than never, right?! He is precious and delightful, smiley and sweet! We certainly all feel in love with him right away!
Each night the week of LJ's birth, I was kept up late with regular contractions. We even went to the hospital twice thinking that it was finally the real deal! But on Wednesday the 18th, he let us know for certain that he was ready to make his debut! I went to bed early while Sean hosted our weekly bible study with some young adults from our church in the basement. Shortly before the bible study ended some regular contraction began again. By this time I was pretty used to my body throwing me for a loop but I could also tell that this time there was something different. These contractions came on hard and fast. We made the call and headed over to the hospital as soon as we had some one at the house to watch the other sleeping cherubs!
There isn't much to say about labor at the hospital this time around because Luke was out of my belly and in my arms about 45 minutes after we arrived! And of course, it was love at first sight!
If you've read around on our blog, you will know that name meanings are pretty important to us. Luke's name represents the ability that light has to chase away and overcome darkness. "And Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me, will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Friday, July 20, 2012
False Gospel Fridays 4.0 Changed
I used to think that a change in my behavior was the right kind of response to the gospel. For me, this reduced Christianity to a set of rules and morals. It was all about not doing x, and making sure I did y. But recently I have been convinced that a genuine, heart felt acceptance of the gospel will lead to a much deeper change then that of just my behavior. It will lead to a change of my very character. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." And Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but
Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
When I thought behavior change was enough, I was really taking my salvation into my own hands. I was believing that if I lived right, I would be saved. And yet the scriptures clearly tell us that we can't accomplish this on our own. No matter how many bad behaviors I manage to curb, I'll never be able to accomplish making myself new. No matter how much of myself I "put to death," I could never really give myself new life. The scripture is equally clear that how we choose to live does matter. We must choose to "live by faith." But moving beyond changing my behavior or morals and allowing Christ to make me new is where salvation is found.
So its about a character change, not just a behavior change. And its not something I can do to or for myself but It is something that the Lord does in me. I am starting to see how the gospel is less and less about me and what I do, and that it is more and more about Him and what He has done or promised to do! I rejoice that He has made this promise in His word: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
When I thought behavior change was enough, I was really taking my salvation into my own hands. I was believing that if I lived right, I would be saved. And yet the scriptures clearly tell us that we can't accomplish this on our own. No matter how many bad behaviors I manage to curb, I'll never be able to accomplish making myself new. No matter how much of myself I "put to death," I could never really give myself new life. The scripture is equally clear that how we choose to live does matter. We must choose to "live by faith." But moving beyond changing my behavior or morals and allowing Christ to make me new is where salvation is found.
So its about a character change, not just a behavior change. And its not something I can do to or for myself but It is something that the Lord does in me. I am starting to see how the gospel is less and less about me and what I do, and that it is more and more about Him and what He has done or promised to do! I rejoice that He has made this promise in His word: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Friday, July 13, 2012
False Gospel Fridays 3.0 Qualified
Sometimes I find myself believing that the more training, education, qualifications that I pursue the more God can use me. This is really only half true. I remember hearing a friend quote something like this a number of years ago..."God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called." We find this concept true throughout scripture.
The disciples were noted in Acts as being unschooled men and yet they were able to teach with such wisdom that it simple amazed all of those who heard them (Acts 4:13). Consistently throughout the new testament the Lord chose to use those who came from humble backgrounds. Moses was afraid of public speaking (Exodus 4:10), Gideon was found hiding in the wine press and asked the Lord how he could possibly be the mighty warrior needed to lead Israel (Judges 6), Solomon started his reign as king with such a humble view of himself (1 Kings 3:7), Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). And the list could go on and on!
Personally, I have put a lot of emphasis on my own education and training. At times I lean on these qualifications in pride. But if we think back to the disciples, the thing that qualified them more than anything else to speak and teach was the time they spent with Jesus himself. That time was a true gift of grace from Him. Nothing can prepare you for life better than time spent soaking up God's grace!
In conclusion, and just to be very clear, education and training is a very good thing! But we should remember that it is not the ULTIMATE thing! Lets not trade worship of the Creator God for worship of a created thing (Romans 1:25). Sometimes, I don't need to read another book or attend another seminar to teach me how to be a better wife and mom. I just need more time with Jesus so that he can carry on the good work he started when he began to change my life, heart, mind (Philippians 1:6). Sometimes, I don't even need another bible study to gain more understanding or knowledge. I just need more practicing living out the knowledge and understanding that he has already given to me. Sometimes, I don't need another degree to be a better servant in His church. I just need to step out in faith and serve trusting him to take care of the rest.
God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called. And he is faithful to meet all of our needs out of his immeasurable grace!
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
The disciples were noted in Acts as being unschooled men and yet they were able to teach with such wisdom that it simple amazed all of those who heard them (Acts 4:13). Consistently throughout the new testament the Lord chose to use those who came from humble backgrounds. Moses was afraid of public speaking (Exodus 4:10), Gideon was found hiding in the wine press and asked the Lord how he could possibly be the mighty warrior needed to lead Israel (Judges 6), Solomon started his reign as king with such a humble view of himself (1 Kings 3:7), Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). And the list could go on and on!
Personally, I have put a lot of emphasis on my own education and training. At times I lean on these qualifications in pride. But if we think back to the disciples, the thing that qualified them more than anything else to speak and teach was the time they spent with Jesus himself. That time was a true gift of grace from Him. Nothing can prepare you for life better than time spent soaking up God's grace!
In conclusion, and just to be very clear, education and training is a very good thing! But we should remember that it is not the ULTIMATE thing! Lets not trade worship of the Creator God for worship of a created thing (Romans 1:25). Sometimes, I don't need to read another book or attend another seminar to teach me how to be a better wife and mom. I just need more time with Jesus so that he can carry on the good work he started when he began to change my life, heart, mind (Philippians 1:6). Sometimes, I don't even need another bible study to gain more understanding or knowledge. I just need more practicing living out the knowledge and understanding that he has already given to me. Sometimes, I don't need another degree to be a better servant in His church. I just need to step out in faith and serve trusting him to take care of the rest.
God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called. And he is faithful to meet all of our needs out of his immeasurable grace!
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Friday, July 6, 2012
False Gospel Fridays 2.0 Justified
Do you believe you are justified before God?
His word says that if we believe, we are justified. And this is not because of ourselves but as a result of God's grace. The Lord continues to work salvation in me but I have to confess that this is a way that I have failed to believe and live out the true gospel. I have discovered that I seek justification from others through my ability to verbally explain my perspective to them. If I can make them understand then I'm good and justified in doing whatever I do. It has made me self righteous, not really righteous as a result of His work, just plain, old, false gospel, self righteous. I hate apologizing and I am starting to see that at the root, apologies are so difficult for me because I have believed that I can explain anything away and in the end be justified and if I am justified there is no need for forgiveness. Oh this is so wrong!
Romans 5:1-2 says "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Ephesians 2:8 says "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," Justification comes from faith. Faith comes from God, as a gift. And not just any gift. The best kind of gift. The one you did nothing to deserve!
God is the one who accomplishes our justification. He did it through what many people call the great exchange from 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus took on our sinfulness and gave to us his righteousness. Because of this those who believe can stand before God in confidence, knowing that God sees Christ gleamingly white righteousness instead of our dirty sinful pride, selfishness etc. God accomplished this out of his love for us and his natural goodness. Thinking we can accomplish justification on our own is just silly. We can't. But he offers it to us anyway. Therefore, out of gratitude that God has made me justified, I should seek repentance and forgiveness. Not because it gets me anything of value but because God has already given me everything I need
His word says that if we believe, we are justified. And this is not because of ourselves but as a result of God's grace. The Lord continues to work salvation in me but I have to confess that this is a way that I have failed to believe and live out the true gospel. I have discovered that I seek justification from others through my ability to verbally explain my perspective to them. If I can make them understand then I'm good and justified in doing whatever I do. It has made me self righteous, not really righteous as a result of His work, just plain, old, false gospel, self righteous. I hate apologizing and I am starting to see that at the root, apologies are so difficult for me because I have believed that I can explain anything away and in the end be justified and if I am justified there is no need for forgiveness. Oh this is so wrong!
Romans 5:1-2 says "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Ephesians 2:8 says "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," Justification comes from faith. Faith comes from God, as a gift. And not just any gift. The best kind of gift. The one you did nothing to deserve!
God is the one who accomplishes our justification. He did it through what many people call the great exchange from 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus took on our sinfulness and gave to us his righteousness. Because of this those who believe can stand before God in confidence, knowing that God sees Christ gleamingly white righteousness instead of our dirty sinful pride, selfishness etc. God accomplished this out of his love for us and his natural goodness. Thinking we can accomplish justification on our own is just silly. We can't. But he offers it to us anyway. Therefore, out of gratitude that God has made me justified, I should seek repentance and forgiveness. Not because it gets me anything of value but because God has already given me everything I need
Friday, June 29, 2012
False Gospel Fridays 1.0 Intro
I've been hearing a lot of people talk about false gospels lately. Many are examining how in their own lives they have come to believe false gospels. In our sin we have masterfully designed new ways to feel saved and we live out what we believe. We so desperately need to take the time to learn what the True Gospel is as laid out for us in God's Word. We need to repent when we fail to believe the truth, we need to search God's word for truth to believe, we need to speak truth to others so they to can believe the true gospel.
God's true gospel is this...
Romans 5:8 says "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." I just love that verse! I love this one too from 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." The Gospel is about God. It is about what He did and when He chose to do it. He loved us. AND he chose to love us before we did anything to make ourselves lovable AND without any guarantee that we would love him back. That's awesome! So how do we receive this love? Listen carefully because this is where it gets even harder to believe...(cue loud speaker) ITS FREE! Check out Ephesians 2:8 that says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," Anyone else think that that is just incredibly good news?! I get all excited thinking about it!
And yet, In my own life I live out false gospels every single day. This series is going to be my attempt to repent and reveal my false gospels. My prayer is that the Lord would use this series to teach me the truth to undo the lies that I believe.
God's true gospel is this...
Romans 5:8 says "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." I just love that verse! I love this one too from 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." The Gospel is about God. It is about what He did and when He chose to do it. He loved us. AND he chose to love us before we did anything to make ourselves lovable AND without any guarantee that we would love him back. That's awesome! So how do we receive this love? Listen carefully because this is where it gets even harder to believe...(cue loud speaker) ITS FREE! Check out Ephesians 2:8 that says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," Anyone else think that that is just incredibly good news?! I get all excited thinking about it!
And yet, In my own life I live out false gospels every single day. This series is going to be my attempt to repent and reveal my false gospels. My prayer is that the Lord would use this series to teach me the truth to undo the lies that I believe.
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