Dying in Faith

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"These all died in faith..."-Hebrews 11:13

In case you haven't been able to tell, we're big Spurgeon fans around here.

There have been many ways the Lord has used his writings and example to teach me important truths and lessons.

Lately, I've been reading a lot a missionary couple who abandoned every earthly pleasure to serve Christ and pursue His kingdom. Their lives being characterized by the sweet and precious passage in Philippians 1: 18-21. Each believer should have this focus, this passion, and this desire; we are being prepared for another place, this world is not the end, our earthly dwelling is just that--our earthly dwelling. Those missionaries that I am reading about had this firmly in their minds. They were living each day by faith, committing to glorify Christ whether that meant by their lives or by their death. Going back to Spurgeon, here is a passage that puts these thoughts in a better light.

"In faith they lived-it was their comfort, their guide,

their motive and their support; and in the same spiritual

grace they died, ending their life-song in the sweet strain

in which they had so long continued.

They did not die resting in the flesh or

upon their own attainments; they made no advance from their

first way of acceptance with God,

but held to the way of faith to the end.

Faith is as precious to die by as to live by...

To them the pains of death were but the birth pangs of a

better state. Take courage, my soul,

as thou readest this epitaph.

Thy course, through grace, is one of faith,

and sight seldom cheers thee;

this has also been the pathway of

the brightest and the best... "

I pray that this would characterize my own life; that each trial and affliction, each blessing and season, would remind and teach me to live by faith and not by sight. What I see is construed by me and is therefore tainted, praise the Lord I am not left to my own understanding!

Praise Him that He is faithful, He does not send us through the flames alone, He carries the heavy burden, and fills our lives with every spiritual blessing. Whether we realize it or not, we are being prepared for an eternal weight of glory that far surpasses what we can imagine.

This gives me such encouragement and drive because I am confident that each trial and grief has a purpose and there is a reason that the Lord has placed it in my life,

if I ever see the reason or not is another story but I know it is for my good and His great glory, and for me that is more than enough.

"Look anew tonight to Jesus, the author and finisher of they faith, and thank Him for giving thee like precious faith with souls now in glory."

-Charles H. Spurgeon

The Meaning of Friendship

"A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity."

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

These are a few verses in the Bible that talk about friendship.

The meaning of friendship has become a constantly searched topic for me recently. I have had many different kinds of friends throughout the years and yet, many of those friendships were not Biblical in their fruit. Many a time has a friend been angry with me for telling them the truth about something they did not want to hear. Because of instances like these, it has caused me to think about the purpose behind my friendships and relationship with people in general. I was always confused (and still am) at why my friends were upset because I thought that's what friends were for; to encourage, to love, to counsel, and to sharpen.

When I was younger, friendship equaled playing; whether it was dress-ups, tag, mud wars, or really anything. As I grew older, the playing stopped for the most part and friendship then equaled "hanging out" and talking. However, the talking part was never glorifying to God in any way; our discussions were mostly meaningless, frivolous chatter about whatever was going on in our lives. Now, friendships mean something so different to me! I have learned that friendship is something more than having someone to talk and laugh with, although those things have their part in friendships. It is where people are not afraid to speak the truth in love to one another, to admonish, to learn from, to care for, to pray with, to bear burdens, and to encourage each other. How am I supposed to do all this for my friend if all we talk about is the latest movie or creative project? Bearing each others burdens is much easier to do if it is based on a foundation of prayer and trust with the other person. Talking about movies and projects are not bad in and of themselves but if that is all you talk about with your friend, you will never be able to bear burdens or pray together. In fact, you will never truly know the person because conversation is then limited to "what's going on in my life" only. As a result of that, pride becomes an even larger pitfall.

I regret the time spent over meaningless talk and wasted time. It has taught me to choose friends carefully, to value the true ones I have, and to guard my tongue with much diligence. In my experience, it is very easy for young women to be consumed in conversing about silly things and be satisfied with that. Our culture has taken friendship and turned it into a monster; either you are best friends or you are enemies. Gossip has gone and taken people captive, especially women. I remember, even among professing Christian friends, gossip being the normal talk.

Approaches to friendship should be Biblical; hence, the verses above. But with those who are not saved, the situation can be difficult. I still have friends who are not saved and I pray for them but my friendship is different with them. They don't understand what it means to speak the truth in love to each other or to encourage one another. It is difficult to be compassionate towards them and love them unconditionally and I often ask myself, "why am I still friends with them?". It is hard to answer that because if a person is not willing to let me counsel or sharpen them and vice-versa , then why are we still friends? It is easy to get downcast about such a topic but remember that we can only pray for them and be an example of believers in Christ. We must relaim "friendship" and incorporate it into our own relationships.

I love all the friends I have now, from church and other places. They have shown true friendship to me. Thank you, Lord, for people who are willing to correct, bear burdens, encourage, and challenge me!

In Christ,

Micaela

Pride and a new site to visit

My Name is Pride, I am a cheater.

I cheat you on your God given destiny....

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...

because you"deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge...

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of holiness...

because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.

I cheat you of vision...

because you would rather look in the mirror than out the window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...

because nobody is going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...

because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...

because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride, I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you,
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me

You'll never know.

~Broadman & Holman

I found this poem on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home. This blessed wife writes many insightful and encouraging words on a variety of subjects. I just found this site today and am already encouraged and convicted by it. I hope you will be sure to visit her site soon!

In Christ,

Micaela

Thoughts on marriage...

Recently I borrowed a book from a dear friend called Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Wheeler Goforth. It is such an encouragement to me as I read of godly examples of young women and short stories of faithful persevering wives. It has encouraged me to strive for those sort of attributes: patience, perseverance, hope, faithfulness, and cheerfulness.
I was also reminded that these women did not aquire these qualities overnight but they were woven into her character by God and over a period of time. So it's not completely hopeless to pray for these now; I know I still have lots of things to learn before I am "ready" and time in which to learn. I am so thankful that it is the Lord that works in us in His own perfect timing and His ways. Which, when you think about it, is the reason why we can still have hope and not become bitter when "bad" things happen to us (See James 1).

There is some more things I would like to say about this book but dinner needs to be fixed so I am off!