"If The Lord Will"

December 29th, 2010

Come now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and make a profit: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. - James 4:13-15

All too often we tend to take our lives here on earth for granted. We make all these plans for our futures, assuming we'll be able to complete them. We believe that we have everything totally "planned out" when we truly don't. We don't know what the next day holds for us, let alone the next hour, or minute, or even the next second! Only God knows.

The above verses came to my mind Monday night on our way home from the hospital. My siblings, dad, some friends of ours and I had met at the ice rink to skate, and we had just started skating when a few of us decided to do a "train." Something happened to where I lost my balance. All I remember was that I was starting to slide under my brother as I fell backward, and feeling my hands slip down his sides as I tried to catch myself. After that, everything went black. When I woke up, my head was throbbing, I was strapped down on a backboard and stretcher with a few EMTs around me, and my dad (whom I could only hear, not see) was off to the side.

To make a somewhat long story short, I was taken to the local hospital, had a few scans done, and later was released after everything came back clear. I had had a pretty major concussion, but nothing was fractured or broken, praise God! But, as we headed home, James 4:13-15 echoed in my mind -- mainly verse fifteen: "For ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that."

Earlier that day I had made all these plans for things I wanted to do on Tuesday. For one, I was putting off a much-needed shopping trip until that day. I had also decided that I'd get my hair cut then, and there were other things that I had planned on doing too for fun. I had assumed that I'd be able to do all this. Instead of assuming as I had, my mindset really should have been like the one described in verse fifteen of James chapter four.

God knows what the future holds for each of us, even if we don't. He has a marvelous, spectacular, and awesome plan for His children (Jeremiah 29:11) and will always be with us no matter what (Hebrews 13:5b). May all of us always carry the mindset of, "If the Lord will," in whatever we do!

A Life Of Integrity

By: Stephanie DeFoyd
February 13th, 2010


What is integrity? The dictionary describes it as "the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity." Another way to put it would be "doing what is right no matter what the situation or circumstance."

I am currently reading a book by K.P. Yohannan titled Against The Wind: Finishing Well in a World of Compromise. In it he relates a story of integrity.


I once heard the story of one particular senator who was known for being an honest and God-fearing politician. Everywhere he went, people would ask him why he was so different from most politicians, why he would not compromise and why he gave such high priority to living by principle. To answer their questions, he told the following story.

One morning he and his father took their fishing poles and worms and started fishing on a lake. The guidelines that came with their license said that they could keep only the fish that were caught after noon (in the United States you must have a license to fish in lakes).

For quite some time they patiently waited for a catch. Suddenly the boy felt a tug on his line. "Daddy, daddy," he cried out, "fish!"

His father helped him pull the line in, revealing a large, beautiful fish flopping on the end of the line.

"I caught a big fish!" cried the boy excitedly. "We can cook it, Daddy, and Mommy will be very happy."

But his father said, "Son, it is not yet noon."

"What do you mean?"

"The law says that we can only keep the fish we catch starting at exactly twelve noon. My son, it is not yet twelve o'clock."

"But, Daddy, nobody is here. We are the only people on this whole lake. Nobody will know!"

But his father stood strong. "Son, it is still five minutes before twelve. It is not yet noon."

"Oh, Daddy, please!" the boy cried. "It's only five minutes."

"My son, it may be only five minutes away, but I'm sorry, we cannot keep the fish."

The father took the fish and threw it back into the lake.

This example of his father's commitment to integrity, no matter how small or great the matter, impacted the boy so significantly that it is what he attributed his success as a politician to. He says that to this day, he still hears the voice of his father reminding him of the importance of integrity, that regardless of who sees or knows, he will consistently choose to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.


What do you do when you're faced with a similar situation? Do you do as the boy and say, "But nobody's here. No one will ever know..." Or are you as the father, who stood fast, resisting the temptation to do wrong, not caring whether or not anyone was watching?

What does your life reflect? Is your life one of integrity, one that shows you're living for Christ? Or is it one that "blends in" with the rest of the world to where others can't see the difference?

Wielding The Sword

"Having a sword and the skills to wield it do you no good if you just plan to carry it around and never use it." - Chris Espinosa

The above quote was something my coworker had said a few nights back while we talked of a certain topic. I don't remember exactly what it was now, but it had to do with arming ourselves with information in relation to the subject, and how once we have the information and the knowledge on how to use it, we need to act accordingly. In just the same way, when Christians arm themselves with the Word of God, it becomes their sword in this world. But to know the Bible and to have the understanding and ability to act upon it and use it in our lives means nothing, if as Christians we plan to just sit idly by. God has given us the sword and the skills to wield it; now we must put it in action by proclaiming His Word and love to those around us.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God Is In Control

The hot topic lately on Facebook and elsewhere has been our Presidential election and its results, as well as the pathetic state of our nation. It's something that's been on my mind as well for quite some time now. No, I'm not at all happy with the fact that Obama got yet another 4 years to govern our nation (but please don't tell me that that automatically makes me agree 100% with Romney, because it doesn't). What saddens me the most is seeing my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ moaning and complaining about Obama being back in office. Hey...have we already forgotten? God is still in control, despite our choices and circumstances! He knows what He's doing when He allows things to happen. God is so much greater than all of this! We're talking about the God of Israel, who parted the Red Sea, who multiplied loaves and fishes for the multitude! This is the God who heals the sick, brings the dead to life, makes the lame to walk and the dumb talk, and opens blind eyes so that they might see! This is the God who spared the life of my little brother, and also my best friend, when both should have been dead when you consider the circumstances! We serve a God who has proved His unconditional love to us over and over, and through the death and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ! He created the heavens, the earth and everything therein, and He created us in His own image, all within 6 days! Don't tell me that our Lord and King, who has done all of this and then so much more, isn't in control of this whole election choice and our nation as well! C'mon, ya'll. Keep your chin up, throw your shoulders back, look to Christ, and just keep trusting Him and remembering His might! He is fully aware of what's going on, and He has all power over it. Nothing can ever stop Him, nor is anything ever too big for Him. He is the Great I AM.

We also need to remember to respect ALL OF THOSE in authority above us, even if we may disagree with them on many levels. Christ tells us in Luke 20:25, "And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." We need to be obedient to those over us, as well as to God, and we need to watch how we speak of those we disagree with. What's in our hearts speaks volumes about who it is we are followers of.

On top of all of that, we need to remember to pray for them as well. 1 Timothy 2:1-3, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour." None of us are exempt from the need of God's guidance.

People, don't be discouraged by the outcome of this Presidential election, or by anything else concerning our nation. Despite what is going on within us, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL AND FOREVER SHALL BE!! Just keep looking to Him, trusting in His word, and knowing that there's nothing that our Father cannot do. Luke 1:37 says, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." He has a plan, and the future isn't uncertain to Him as it is to us. Keep trusting in Christ, and continue to be shining witnesses for Him no matter what! <3

(*Check out this song on YouTube: "GOD IS IN CONTROL" by Avalon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKJJqpTq2RE *)


Written By: Stephanie DeFoyd

History: Read & Repeated, Yet Never Learned From

Oh, America! Your people read and reflect back on times past, are presented with the truths of what foolish things can ruin and crumble a nation, and yet they still fail to learn or take anything from it. History has started to repeat itself within you…once a great and mighty nation, full of freedom and liberty, now falling apart because we have forgotten just Who granted us with this beautiful freedom and country. We have been consumed with our pride and turned our backs on God, forgetting that without Him, we are nothing, and can be nothing. Oh, America, when will your people open their eyes to the truth? Maybe we will have another chance…or this could have been our last. Only God knows that for sure. Hopefully, America, your people will now open their blind eyes and see the truth that has been before them all this time, yet they chose to ignore.

Judges 2:1-15 - "And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you. And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the Lord. And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed."

Written By: Stephanie DeFoyd

Jabez

March 16th, 2010


I find it interesting how the first four chapters of I Chronicles is a continuous genealogy until verse nine, where the author seems to suddenly pause to tell of a man who is never mentioned again in any other place in the Bible: Jabez. Verses nine and ten of chapter four are set aside for telling us that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren, why his mother named him Jabez ("one who causes pain"), what his prayer was, and that God answered him. Then in the verses that follow, the author immediately continues with the genealogy as if he'd never stopped! It's almost like he was droning on and on through the generations, then came to Jabez and said, "Oh, wait! You've gotta hear about this guy!" and proceeded to fill us in, compacting everything into only those two verses. Then, as soon as he was finished, he went back to reciting the following generations as before.

I wonder, why did the author -- in the middle of recording the genealogy -- suddenly pause and take time to tell us about Jabez, a man who is never again mentioned in the Bible? Maybe it was because of his prayer, which is as follows:

'Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!'

A pretty powerful prayer if you ask me, and also one we can learn a lot from!

Some people think that, yeah, it's okay and great to ask God to bless others, but asking Him to bless them is being selfish. And, yes, I'll admit that I was one of those just a few years ago before I started studying Jabez's prayer. That concept of thinking is not true. I mean, look at Jabez. The Bible says that "Jabez was more honorable than his brethren" and he asked God to bless him personally! Not his neighbor, not his family, but himself! His exact words were, "Oh, that thou wouldest bless me indeed" (emphasis mine). If asking God to bless you were a selfish act, I don't think the author would've said, "Jabez was more honorable than his brethren"!

Right after we are informed of Jabez's prayer, we're told, "And God granted him that which he requested." God answered Jabez's prayer, so apparently it isn't so selfish to ask that you be blessed. God wants you to ask! Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Then, in James chapter four, the last part of verse two, we're told, "ye have not, because ye ask not."

So, go ahead! Follow Jabez's example and ask! Remember, God will hear your prayer!

"Here Am I; Send Me!"

October 7th, 2010

There are so many out there who have not heard of Jesus' unending love for them -- people who have never heard His precious name, nor experienced His infinite mercy and grace. Jesus says in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." Then He commands us in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Let's take a look at Isaiah 6:8. It says, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."

How do we respond to the Lord's question of, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Do we reply like Isaiah, and eagerly say, "Here am I; send me"? Or do we just kick back, not willing to leave our comfort zones, and answer Him with, "Sorry, God. I don't really feel like it today. Send someone else." Sadly, so many people, who profess to be Christians, have this attitude. They don't want to leave their comfort zones, and would rather someone else take the burden for them.

People, we should not have that sort of mindset! Think about it: if you don't tell them, who will? What if everyone thought in this way? There's a big chance that you and I probably would not have heard about Christ, if that were the case! We need to be willing to leave our comfort zones and go where God leads us, proclaiming His Word to all whom we come in contact with, and sharing His love with others. We need to be saying, "Here am I; send me!"

Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"



Written By: Stephanie DeFoyd

Marriage & Divorce: The Blessing of God & The Man-Created Law

This past July I was honored to attend the wedding of two of my best friends, Jonathan and Lisa Stormes (pictured at right. Photo taken and copyrighted by Gerad’s Photography). The evening ended beautifully for an outdoor wedding, the sunset a blazing pink, gold and purple in the background. Both the bride and the groom were glowing with happiness, their love for each other and for God being clearly evident. It was definitely a real life fairy tale wedding. Simple, yet elegant and beautiful. It was undeniable proof that marriage – a life-long commitment – is a wonderful blessing from God.

For the past couple of days the topic for discussion around here has been one that I really despise with a passion: divorce. I don’t despise it for what it is, but for how it is viewed and used in today’s culture and society. Unfortunately, it’s become more and more common to hear of people getting a divorce for reasons such as “we just don’t get along anymore.” Broken homes are not unusual. Women getting pregnant or couples living together out of wedlock is the norm. Nowadays, marriage isn’t always viewed as a sacred and holy life-long commitment. To some it’s just something one can leave when they feel like it. The concept of commitment doesn’t even figure in.

The Bible teaches us a very different view. Below are a few passages that express it:


Deuteronomy 24:1-4 – “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the Lord: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”

Matthew 19:3-9 – “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”


When a man and a woman marry, they are no longer two, but one flesh (figuratively speaking, of course). Marriage joins them together as one. Divorce was created by man and is to be used with just cause. It isn’t something to be taken lightly or as an excuse to leave someone because one doesn’t get along with their spouse one day, etc., as today’s society and culture endorses. The Bible teaches that there must be a very good reason for the divorce of one’s spouse, such as (but not limited to) sexual impurity and abuse.


(*Check out Gerad's Photography website!: http://www.geradsphotography.com/)


Written By: Stephanie DeFoyd