As we stand in the middle of a move of the Holy Spirit where people are being pointed to Jesus Christ, and deciding who they will commit their lives to, let us remember this awesome truth -
Romans 6:1-14
What shall we say, then?
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means!
We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
These verses outline a simple way for us to discern who is living for (and belongs to) Jesus Christ, from those who are living for themselves and our enemy.
The black and white generation... a friend of ours told us about a prophecy 7 or 8 years ago that said this generation would be the "black and white" generation.
We're seeing that. We're seeing some choose life and Jesus Christ, and some choose death and self. There is a great battle for souls. How do we determine who to speak to and encourage in the Lord versus who we speak to about their lack of faith in Jesus Christ?
I sat with a young man two nights ago and shared with him that I didn't want him to consider himself "safe" or saved. I told him that it is only those who do the will of God who belong to Him. Without getting too deep into doctrine - I'm seeing that a person can look like a Christian - a person can even have prayed a prayer of salvation - and not be His.
How can that be? Well, I don't have a clear answer for that question. All I know is my daughter Abigail went from looking like a Christian outwardly (going to church, worshipping, praying, reading her Bible, even telling people about Jesus) to being born again Saturday evening. Something supernatural occurred that did not occur in her heart as a child. Was God drawing her from childhood? Yes. But I believe the "deal" was sealed with her confession of faith and baptism. That's all I know.
I also know that others have openly said that while they know God is real, they are not interested in serving Him. Even the demons know God is real... So I'm asking the Lord for a supernatural transaction for those I love. I'm not going to pretend to fully understand which is which as far as those who belong to Jesus Christ and those who do not. But when I look at these above verses, I'm reminded that if we are true believers in Jesus Christ, we are DEAD to sin and we will CHOOSE to follow the truth.
In a "black and white" sense - those who obey are His - those who do not are not His.
If we are true followers of Jesus Christ, we were baptized into the same death as Jesus Christ - death to sin.
And now we are resurrected to new life in Him - to obedience to His Word.
Our old self was crucified - we are no longer slaves to sin.
If we have truly died (become forgiven followers of Jesus Christ), we are freed from sin!
The death he died, he died to sin (and so did we, if we are His); but the life he lives, he lives to God (and so do we, if we are His)
We are to "count ourselves dead to sin", but "alive to God in Christ Jesus". This is WHO WE ARE in Christ Jesus.
DO NOT LET... this is our part - DO NOT LET SIN reign in your mortal body... we still have a choice, but we will be able to choose to "not let" sin reign when we are His.
DO NOT OFFER... this is also our part - DO NOT OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO SIN.... OFFER yourselves to God.
We are His, yet we must "offer"...
His command - Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Let's be faithful to speak to those around us - encourage those who are His - and speak loving truth to those who are not.
And let everything we do be bathed in prayer.
Psalm 1 - I am like a tree planted by streams of water and whatever I do will prosper
18 June 2010
13 June 2010
Amazing Grace - How Sweet the Sound
Births of babies are right up there...
Weddings are precious celebrations...
Even deaths - if the deceased is a follower of Jesus Christ - can be considered a "celebration".
But today - yesterday really - one of those rare, precious, eternal moments visited my family.
I cherish the day I married my husband.
I treasure the day each of my children were born.
But yesterday, June 12, 2010 is certainly one of the most important days in my life...
I'll get to the "why" in just a moment.
I've often said that my life's great Opus is that of being a mom, and raising my children in the ways of the Lord,
There is one thing I've longed for - only one thing that matters to me - that my children will find themselves in the household of faith.
Yesterday, my youngest daughter, Abigail, was wrestling with faith. We've had a long couple of years with what I knew to be several "spiritual skirmishes". The Lord had warned me that the road ahead for Abigail was one of rebellion and sorrow. I pondered that for a couple of weeks, and finally became so grieved that I decided to approach my Lord in a way similar to that of Abraham when he approached God asking for the souls of the men and women in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Only this request was for my precious Abigail - my "Father's Joy". I decided to take a firm stand in the gap for my daughter, and asked the Lord to show us how to avert the destruction that was ahead.
I know that the Lord is good. I know that the Lord is faithful. And I know that He hears His anointed ones.
So I asked the Lord, in faith, to turn this path around for my precious girl.
As we sat talking to Abigail yesterday, I told her that battle lines were being drawn in the Spirit, and that sides were being chosen. I told her that a decision was being required. Was she going to serve and follow Jesus Christ? Or would she serve herself and follow a path that leads to death?
At first, the answer was - I don't care if I'm a rebel - the battle was heated...
But finally, Abigail made a declaration from her mouth - I want to serve Jesus.
So we asked how we could help...
You see, we thought Abigail was already saved, or born again. She had prayed the prayer as a young girl and had appeared to follow Jesus... until the last couple of years when things just didn't seem to be "matching up".
We found out last night that Abigail had been leading a double-life. One of outward church going and doing right, but of inward hypocrisy and game-playing.
Abigail asked us to pray for her. So we gathered around, her dad, sister, and me. Abigail said - I need to rededicate my life to God. So she began to pray. As she prayed, she began to sob and the words out of her mouth were precious - I give my whole life to you, Jesus. I know the road ahead will be hard, but I have counted the cost and I'm choosing to serve You.
Then my daughter looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes, and gorgeous, teary smile and said - I've just been saved!
Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ made a spiritual and total covenant with my Abigail last night! She and I both laughed and cried for two hours.
My burden for her soul has been lifted, and the joy of the Father is mine. And hers!
Abigail said she needed to be baptized, so today all of Harvest Church celebrated with us as Jeff baptized his youngest daughter.
Lord, thank You for Your goodness and Your faithfulness in the life of the Kear family.
We can never thank You enough. So we give You all of our lives... Use them for Your Kingdom.
01 June 2010
True Beauty - A Tribute
We were so blessed to have many family members and friends come to share our joy at this wonderful achievement in my daughter's life.
I have home schooled her since Kindergarden (as I did her brother, and will continue to do with her younger sister). Katherine does not necessarily "love" school work. She would much rather be dancing, playing in the mud, playing football, or driving a nail with a hammer. But I'm proud to say that she diligently persevered in her school work. She is an intelligent young lady and did quite well in all subjects. She even conquered her worst subject - spelling. Well done!
When Katherine was younger, we called her a tom-boy, and it fit. She would wrestle any boy brave enough to take her on, and beat many in foot races. She loved being outside, roughing it up, playing with bugs and getting dirty.
I remember a day when I compared the things she loved to do with the name the Lord led us to give her.
Katherine Grace Ann Kear means "pure, and full of grace".
It may have seemed that she was "anti" her name. But I choose to believe that the depths of who she is were (and still are) being explored. I don't think you can neatly fit Katherine into any category. She is so full of "apparent contradictions". But that is what makes her so delightful!
On the graceful side... Katherine is a beautiful, slender young woman who dances with such grace, conviction, and anointing. You should have seen her trying out hip-hop with her dance company this year. They teased her mercilessly (which didn't bother her AT ALL) about how "graceful" she was, saying she'd never make a good hip-hop dancer. She's fine with that. As a matter of fact, she couldn't care less!
She is one of those rare beauties who is content to be "who she is" without any apologies.
When I think of Katherine, I think about grace personified. I also consider her wild giggle fits that exude such joy. I think about how she, her sister, and two favorite friends recently had a paint war where they painted each other, while running through the yard, and jumping on the trampoline. She had such fun!
And I think about what she tells me about the young man she hopes to marry. At this point she wants a "country boy" who drives a truck, works hard, is not afraid to sweat, and won't mind her trying to whip his butt and throw him in a swimming pool!
That's my girl... beauty and grace, along with wild giggly rough-housing.
You know, I wouldn't change a thing.
Katherine is truly one of my very best friends. She and I talk about everything - leaving no topic untouched. I trust her completely.
Why? She has proven herself to be faithful. A faithful daughter who guards the truth, and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
As her dad and I release her into this next season in life, I know she will choose to follow God's leading. Where will He lead her?
To work a while? Yes...
To go to a local community college to pursue a degree in photography? Possibly...
To one of a few great missions schools to prepare her for the mission field? Possibly... (she's got a call on her life in missions).
It doesn't matter to me what she does from here on out. That is between her and Jesus.
I just know that I love her and am SO proud of who she is!
To you, Katherine!
My precious daughter.
I couldn't have asked for any better.
I love you!
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