Exposing Sin

Recently I confronted something I considered sin.  The person not only denied it, but attempted to turn it around to look like I was the person in the wrong.  It is well (now) with my soul, because I know I did my part.  I confronted it, pointed it out, and exposed it to others.  Now it is the responsibility of others, not mine. I struggled for a while with it not being handled or action not being taken.  I have chosen to surrender this and the outcome to God the Father.  He is more than capable of handling all things.    

Many times, I believe Christians think because God is the ultimate judge that we cannot call out sin when we see it.  Well I believe we are actually called to point out to people when they are in a sin, especially a stronghold.  There are things, of course, that need to be in place ---- before that happens.  Here are a few of my thoughts on this.

1. You need to have a clear word from the Holy Spirit that you are supposed to say something, what you are supposed to say, and (very important) when you are supposed to say it.  The right word at the wrong time is the wrong word. 

2. Having a relationship with the person, not always a must, but also usually important.  Holy Spirit can give you a word of knowledge for a complete stranger and I advised be obedient in giving that word.  But very effective is wounds from a friend can be trusted. Proverbs 27:6

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 1 Corinthians 12:8 For truly, to one is given a word of wisdom by the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit. Something that has “grown me up” the most has been friends and mentors who were willing to call me out on things I was either ignorant of, or being ignorant in.

3. Leadership is a whole other level.  Scriptures says leadership, pastors, teachers, etc…. are held to a higher standard. James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. There is also scripture that speaks about the process of confronting those in leadership.  Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

I believe we are called to confront sin.  Sin is missing the mark.  It is helpful, beneficial and necessary.  I do think it is so important to be willing to walk it out with a person.  It is not okay to point it out and walk away, unless you are forced.  Allow Holy Spirit to minister to others through you.  His power in His word is effective, Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Do not be afraid to point out sin. 
Do not be afraid to stand your ground. 
Do not be afraid to say the truth. 
Even if you have to walk away.

I AM Forgiven

One of the biggest doors for the enemy to come into your life is bitterness.  Bitterness through offense is a huge burden to carry.  When you're offended, seek the Lord and ask for wisdom.  Offer forgiveness to the other person and allow Holy Spirit though His power to heal your heart and soul.

I have walked through some very difficult times over the last 6 months.  My integrity, theology, and identity have all been attacked from several different sources/people.  It has been exhausting and also rewarding.  I have been crushed in spirit and the Lord has drawn so near to me.  It is amazing how He chases those that are brokenhearted.  I have witnessed it so dramatically the last few months it has been a struggle to put it into words. He has saved me………

Psalm 34:18

For those of you who know me I often try to make analogies of what I am feeling or trying to say.  I would compare what I have gone through to an abusive relationship, divorce, being beaten, and war, and even death.  Truth is that what has happened isn’t an analogy at all, but real life things that have caused me to look in the mirror and go before the Lord asking some really hard questions of myself and of Him.  I’m so thankful he can handle ALL my questions because I found some of them were too hard for me to bear. 

One thing I am so sure of is that I must forgive those who have: hurt me, called me names, put their hands up against me, denied me, rejected me, tossed me out, refused to hear me, refused to protect me turned a blind eye to harsh treatment, and so much more.  Situations and events run through my head like a record that was recorded of each things that happened and the enemy whispers to me all the reason why I should not even consider forgiveness.  But I know it is a commandment from God Matthew 6:14 If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. 

So today I publicly say I forgive those who has sinned against me.  I am erasing the recording and rewriting those things where I was hurt.  I am choosing to see the good in the situation and how God has strengthened me in this season.  How I have so much more anointing now than before.  I long to be closer and more like you Jesus every day.  Little did I know that the places you would have me walk would be so difficult. 

Now I am moving forward to the healing process.  This week was a turning point for me.  It is a time of release and diving into a new thing.  The power from the resurrection of Jesus is alive and active in me.  In Greek that mighty power is called DYNAMIS. And it has the power to perform miracles.  I know that forgiveness is a miracle because somethings are impossible to forgive on our own.  But through His power all things are possible.  My soul has been so wounded, it has been like war.  In war, we do not have time to heal, we just slap on a Band-Aid and keep going.  But now I am being examined by the Great Physician and He is revealing to me broken bones and areas that need splinting.  I am healing.  It is a process, but it is good.  He is close and I am better today than I was yesterday.

TRUTH vs slander

What's the difference between the truth and slander?

Well slander is saying false things about someone.  Ruining someone's reputation with allegations you have no truthful evidence to sustain. 

The TRUTH is stating what has happened to you in the most honest way.  Doing it with no intention of ruining a reputation, not adding or embellishing. And not adding your opinion or why. Sometimes sharing the truth can have consequences for the people involved in the story, well most of the time it does.

For instance, recently my house was broken into and robbed. The truth is that my son was working with a man who used that relationship to gain personal information about our home and our possessions. This person had evil intentions with the information he obtained and eventually used what he learned to his benefit and our harm. He determined when we would be away from the house and he determined where the items he wanted to steal were located, and he came into our home and took them. He not only took these things but rummaged through drawers and cabinets and was in our home alone. This situation could have ended up so differently because much to this man's surprise there was someone in our home the first time he came in. Yes-someone was in the shower and after rummaging around, and he must have heard this person and fled our house. This did not stop his need for taking things that were not his. He waited until the home was empty and came back and took what he wanted.  The truth is he came into our house Without Permission!  Once we confirmed what happened and who this was we made a decision to tell the truth. We called the police department and explained to them what happened. They immediately filed a report and questioned the suspect and others who he shared information with and made a decision they had enough to make an arrest.  This man was arrested for his actions*. His choices and words and actions had consequences. These consequences may have changed relationships in both his and our lives and could affect his reputation, but the truth was told. I do not feel bad for this person because he made a choice. Having your house broken into feels terrible. It effects your sense of security and makes you question a lot of things. I am thankful for an investigation and thankful for the proof the police found.  I'm thankful this man is behind bars and is learning he will have consequences for his hurtful illegal actions. In this situation, justice is being served. I know God uses all situations for our good and I pray in this case that this man will learn good and God will get the glory for his transformation. Our intentions with calling the police was not to ruin his life or hurt his reputation but it was to expose the truth about what happened. We am called to protect our family and our home.  By sharing what happened I could have prevented someone else from being robbed. I never slandered him, just shared the truth.   I do not even think if I shared his name and his picture it would be slander, still the truth.  But in this case, I believe the police (the people you call to help you) have handled it well and I feel protected and safe again.  This is not to say that there were many nights I had trouble sleeping, and there was fear to enter my own home alone too.  I had to walk through a process of healing and trust in God to not let anything happen.  You see it took a while between the break in and robbery and the time he was arrested.  In fact, it was several months.  And while he was still out, my mind sometimes made up stories which were frightening. 

I want to declare I have not only had victory in this but I am an overcomer.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ‘To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ – Revelation 2:7

*He is in the Parker County Jail on a second degree felony of Burglary of a Habitation.

I AM worth FAR more than Rubies

Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies.

What is the price/value of a ruby?

A ruby can command the highest prices of any colored gemstone.  The per-carat prices of fine-quality rubies have been rising consistently, many times breaking auction records.  A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone and the most expensive ruby is the sunrise gemstone and is only beat out in price by the diamond.

 

This 25.59-carat sunrise ruby was sold for a record US$30.42 million in 12 May 2015 at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva, Switzerland to an anonymous buyer.

What does it take to be a virtuous women---- or an excellent woman?  The Hebrew word here is chayil. Meaning strength, ability, efficiency, wealth, and army.  The word virtuous has a reference to strength of character, and implies mental and moral energy, or courage.  Courage is the stricter meaning of the word and it also implies a deep and healthy fear of God. 

Hebrews 3:14 - We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Hebrews 4:14 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Holding on to the end takes strength of character.  I have seen many fail at this.  I have personally seen many received freedom, healing, deliverance, restoration, and transformation only to maintain this for the short term. There is something about hanging on to the end. 

A few weeks ago, I started running and am in the process of training for a 5K, 10K and eventually half marathon.   It is hard to hang on.  I get started strong and feel myself wanting to quit right in the middle.  It gets hard, I get sweaty, and I'm breathing hard.  But I run away from my house so I have to come back.  I have to finish.  I'm always thankful when I do, but it is hard in the middle.  I think so many do not have the mental and moral energy to push through in their middle. 

Then what about those moments when you are not treated like a precious ruby, in fact you are thrown out, discarded, called names, judged, and your identity is questioned.   Those "middle" times are extremely difficult.  So much so, it would be easy to stop or quit.  But He calls us to finish. 

2 Timothy 4: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

The world wants you to quit.  Sometimes friends want you to quit.  Your enemies definitely want you to quit.  But He wants you to finish.  What is your middle?  Where are you in the race?  How will you finish.  Do you have a healthy fear of God?  You must finish well because there will be a judgment day where your work, words, actions, and intentions here on earth will go through the fire and If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:15

I am praying even in the hardest times of your life that you push though.  I am praying that in the hardest times in my life that I finish well.  How can I be praying for you?  You are worth
FAR MORE than rubies.  That’s a lot sweet friend.

Be encouraged!