Apart

Set apart, made unique.

I've always been that individual who was slightly awkward.  Good gravy as I was walking onto a stage yesterday I tripped.  In front of everyone.  In front of the whole church!!!  Now that's set apart :)

Paul isn't talking about that kind of set apart.  This kind of set apart was something that happened even before we were born.  We were unique in our Father God's eyes before we were even created.  I don't know about you, but that's incredible.  To be loved in such a way and to be treasured.  In doing so we are called by His grace.

Friends, if you're having a rough day, if you feel that the world is against you and things aren't going your way remember you are the chosen.  You are a holy blameless child of God set apart before you were born, called by Him who loves you, by His Grace.

Now that's a treasured thought.

Conundrum

Sometimes when I read the Bible I run across a chapter that I think in my head, Say what?  And so reread it again, I’m like mhhrrrr, I don’t know how to take that... and I’m compuzzled (compounded and puzzled, I made the word up).

Like this verse and chapter I had to reread it and then reread it again.  I’m still confused.

Friends, I want you to know that that’s ok.  The Bible is filled with incredibly awesome, epic, and sometimes mysterious words.  I feel as we walk on this journey with our Father God that some things He’ll reveal at a later date.  So after I got done rereading this chapter and then the verse.  I prayed to God asking Him what it all meant.  How do I test myself?  How does one make sure you are in the faith?  Possibly just simply asking God “ am I in the faith?”

If anyone knows I would love the answer 🙃

John Crist

If you’re a Christian and haven’t heard of comedian John Crist you all need to start hearing about him.

He is hilarious!  I can’t help but crack up every time I hear one of his skits (do you even call it a skit). So because Easter’s coming up, enjoy this video 😂

And if you want here is a link to his website so you yourself can check him out.
Click Here

Cunning

So today in 2nd Corinthians 11 Paul gives a hard scary truth.  If you haven’t read this chapter let me give you a quick synopsis.  The Corinthians have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior they believe that He died on the cross and rose again.  That Jesus conquered death and in doing so broke the chains of bondage in order for us to have an intimate relationship with God.

Now as they  are growing in their faith and time has past by Paul is seeing an unsettling amount of stumbling blocks.  I can see how easily I would fall on these blocks too.  One of those blocks he addresses is verses 3 and 4 in chapter 11.

     “For I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve”

Stop right there and consider that.

He didn’t say “Hey you idiots!  You’re listening and believing all this mumbo jumbo!”  No, He was afraid, not very much scared Paul.  He had walked through so much in his life and I can only assume not much scared him, but the thought of even one of the followers of Christ being led astray scared him enough to write to them.

Now go ahead and look at verse 4.

“ For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus.”

What does he mean by that?  So many times we are looking for the obvious abnoxious loud unclean spokesman proclaiming that he’s Jesus.  I want you to consider this though.  This could be anyone preaching something slightly different then what the Bible says.  This could be someone going over a book of the Bible and skipping the chapters that might not seem relevant to today’s culture.  This could mean someone saying well I  think the Old Testament is an allegory.  Friends, this is dangerous grounds we’re on here and unfortunately too many people put up with it readily enough.

You want to know if you’re being deceived by a cunning serpent like Eve was?  Read your Bible.  I would never allow a professor to lecture me in college and simply use their lectures to study for tests.  I would read the book to make sure everything was covered before I took the test.  Why in the world would you take another person’s opinion on the Bible when you can read the Bible for yourself!  Now am I saying that you shouldn’t go to church and listen to your pastor? No!  But for goodness sake read your Bible and hold your pastor to the standards the Bible puts on everyone not the other way around.

So please, whatever you may think.  If you’re a Christian read your Bible so you don’t readily fall to another’s opinion of who Jesus is.

War

If you have never considered the fact that there are beings outside our realm of sight, I would highly suggest you start reading the Bible.
Friends are you prepared for war?  Are you prepared?  Do you have the armour of God, have you prepped for your day?

For though we walk in the flesh we’re not waging war according to the flesh.  We have a God that has given us tools and protection to help us during our day.  He wants to be able to protect you from the onslaught of the evil one.  From things that could cause you to stumble and fall.  These weapons have divine power.  Power to destroy strongholds of addictions, and fear.  That’s an incredible weapon!

So again, I ask you, are you prepared?

I’m praying for you, and I ask that you pray for me too :). That God gives me the strength to go about doing His work.  That my own faults and weaknesses are once again forgiven and that the strongholds in my life are destroyed by Jesus Christ’ divine power.  What an amazing God we serve, have a great Monday!

Royal Family Kids’ Camp

 

Hi Friends,

I have a huge favor to ask you.  My parents Bernie and Margaret Fiedler have been organizing and helping out a much needed ministry to children who are in the foster care system.  These sweet kids who have been affected my trauma and abuse have the opportunity to come to a camp that is set to give them a fun filled week of games, crafts, swimming, singing around campfires.  In this environment there are qualified therapists, counselors, and staff to work with these kiddos to give them a place where they can shine.  

If you live in Wisconsin would you consider attending a dinner and a show in order to raise funds (see the picture above for info)?  All the proceeds will go to Royal Family Kids Camp.  If you are reading this and would like to help financially or to volunteer as a counselor please contact Oakwood Church for more information.  

This is a great way to support the hands and feet of Jesus and I can’t imagine a better way to give.  Please prayerfully consider supporting this awesome ministry.

Guilt

I have struggled with guilt for a good portion of my life.  When I do something wrong I feel it immediately, the all consuming feeling in my gut that won’t go away.  It can be debilitating to me.  When I displease someone or when I make a mistake all I want to do is correct it.  When I let someone down no matter how small that may be, I feel it.  I’m 35 years old and I can still feel the guilt when I’ve done a poor job or when I’ve said something that I know I shouldn’t.

So you can understand my relief when I read this verse.  God’s grief is to convict to lead to salvation which leads to release, no more regret, but the world’s which is a mere imitator of our Holy One will continue to produce ugliness and death.  I know longer am tied down my grief because I know my salvation is in Jesus Christ.  That is an incredible feeling!

My dear friends, what kind of grief over mistakes are you having?  God’s that leads to an infinite freedom or to the world’s that disguised itself as something good but really leads to death.