The Recap

The Recap: Snippets of all that God has taught me Monday through Friday. I encourage you to reflect on God's teachings at the end of every week. Re-read journal entries, list recent blessings, and recall any sermons, songs, scriptures, or words of encouragement from the past several days. 

Monday

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. Romans 15:30-32

Paul looked forward to being filled by the company of the Roman church. Like the church did for Paul, may we refresh all those who interact with us. May our friends and family look forward to our company because it refreshes them emotionally and spiritually.  In this passage, "refresh" means "to rest one's spirits with one". If we want to refresh others with our company, we must first refresh ourselves in God's company. God's word spoken to us through prayer and the Bible equips us with what we need to restore our friends and family. Since the God of peace unites us to our fellow believers, we can sharpen each other like iron. We can pray earnestly that the will of God be done in each other's lives. We can rest in each other's company by speaking positive words, using our spiritual gifts, and talking to God together.

Tuesday

"Do not let us think of the distinguished Christians exclusively so as to forget the rank and file of the Lord's army...let us love all Christ's servants. It is better to be God's dog than to be the devil's darling." Spurgeon

At the end of Paul's letter to the Romans, he lists off important people to greet and recognize. Paul describes these godly men and women as hard workers in the Lord. In fact, he uses the term "worker" 5 times in this short passage. These workers of the Lord serve God behind the scenes, but Paul makes sure to brag on their integrity and devotion in front of other believers. Do we openly point out the service of others? Do we boast about what God is doing through our sisters in Christ? The Christians Paul point out were ordinary people like us. We may be everyday human beings, but we have a high calling. May we live noteworthy lives of obedience to God by working hard for the Lord even if we do not receive public recognition. Let us also verbally point out other ordinary people who serve the Lord well. 

Wednesday

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.  James 1:26

True religion involves controlling the tongue. Steer clear of gossip, colorful stories, unwholesome conversation, and negativity. Less is more when it comes to words. As women, we tend to talk a lot...especially during a girl's night out after a long week when there is just SO much to fill our girlfriends in on. It is late, our quiet time is far behind us, and we can finally escape our life for a night of fun. Our filter is off. You know when you are most vulnerable to verbal sin. The more we talk, the more likely we are to complain, exaggerate, and slander other people. The bigger our mouth, the more likely we are to stick our foot in it. Know your weak spots and prepare for them. Before going out with friends, pray over your lips. Before you get on the phone with your BFF, read God's Word. Before you post that paragraph on Facebook, fix your thoughts on Your Father. Be slow to speak. Think before you blurt. Talk less. Filter everything through God's word. Make sure what you say is true, appropriate, necessary, concise, and fitting for the occasion. 

Thursday

Do we serve God just because it makes us happy? I admit that I often fill my schedule with just enough "God tasks" to satisfy my Christian morals and clear my guilty conscience. Rarely do I let go and love God for who He is. I forget to genuinely spend time with Him just because I want to. We as Believers are different from the world! We have an abundance of everything good that truly matters. We may be average and imperfect, but everything we do should be motivated by a love for God. Ask God to help you desire Him for all that He is in and of Himself. Ask God to help you differentiate between a temporary feeling and an authentic passion for Him. May He reveal to us all of our true motives for pleasing Him.

Friday

 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14-15

Sin is violent and messy as it tricks, deceives, and lures us into its death trap. It makes us feel good and feel like what we are doing is not that bad. But then that sin turns into a habit and our addictions slowly but surely kill us spiritually. This is not from God. Once sin enters our mind, it entices us to fantasize. We imagine ourselves committing this sin. We imagine how it will make us feel. These fantasies lead to a choice. Do we choose God or our flesh? Wise believers create a strong defense before temptation ever enters their minds. They fortify their faith while they are sober-minded. They build up a stronghold through prayer, Scripture memory, and Bible reading. They do not give their flesh the opportunity to tempt them. They make decisions throughout the day that will decrease the chances of sin seducing them later on. They feed their spiritual bodies more than their fleshly bodies so that, if temptation comes their way, they are better equipped for the battle. Before they make a decision they ask, "Am I willing to pay the price?". May we take the war against sin seriously. Sin weakens our intimacy with our Father. Sin strangles our spiritual lives. Fight the good fight of faith. Be smart. Be aggressive. Build up a strong defense against temptation.

☎︎

The Girl Next Door