To Debate or not to Debate that is the Question!?

Debating can be fun, it can be challenging, and it can be very destructive! Debating in a controlled environment can prove to be enlightening, on the other hand debating in an uncontrolled setting can be disastrous. Let me explain. When you have two sides debating the scriptures or processing between friends without an audience at least for the majority of the time you leave with possible differences but you can agree to disagree in grace. However, if you have an open forum, inviting multiple individuals in such as on lets just say.... facebook.... we open the doors for the enemy to use it against us.

If we open an opportunity to debate amongst ourselves in front of unbelievers, or those seeking quite honestly it displays a lack of self control and division among the body of Christ. The unbeliever will pick up on the disunity instantly. Why would we pin ourselves against one another on such a forum when the scriptures are clear for us to be like-minded of one accord, unified in the spirit of unity for the bond of peace?

I personally LOVE to debate topics, I truly do! I just personally choose not to on an open forum that would invite the enemy to tear down more than build up. There are many appropriate avenues to express our opinions, however, please remember your opinion is just that and it is not God's.

This debate forum "Tell me what you think" is walking a fine line. Too often we end up opening ourselves up to young Christians, Christians in sin, or non believers and they can get heated and great contention can come through our words which stir up strife. There isn't an, agreeing to disagree. They can become adamant and hostile. Leaving others around them to watch or read their comments to shutter at the thought, "Umm and they are Christians?!"

Please reconsider the mindset that we are challenging them to think about something, we are to exhort and encourage, not stir up strive in our desire to emulate Jesus, right!? Does God provoke us with such questions or statements? NO, he says it is by His goodness men are led to repentance. Living out Grace is amazing!

The truth is: God's word stands alone needing no help. Chewing and digesting the word is a personal time for revelation from the Holy Spirit, not man. Again this being on an open uncontrolled forum, that concerns me. One on one processing the scriptures or asking questions for edifying sake, but the motive to be confrontational or stir up strive is not wise especially when unbelievers are watching and participating.

The Lord gives us these scriptures that may just help us rationalize what we do an how we do it:

Pr 13:10 ¶ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.

Ro 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Ro 16:17 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

2Ti 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. Tit 3:9 ¶ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 15:5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: {according to: or, after the example of}
Romans 15:6That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
1 Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

they will know us by our love.....

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Adversity with Promise!

Have you ever experienced no matter what you do for the Lord out of obedience, trouble is always right around the corner? Whenever we say yes to God we must say no to something or someone else. This is hard on those around us who have a dependency on us, or whom we have had a dependency on. God is constantly shifting people in and out of lives. Most of us don't understand God's workings until after we have walked through the steps a few times. It creates an array of emotions that could cause destruction for all involved if we are not careful to discern and following God's leading. We are to constantly move forward in our calling looking to Jesus and Jesus alone.

Can we all relate to have been wounded by a passing relationship sometime in our lives? Maybe we have been the one passing by moving forward and to others it would appear we left them behind? Truth Is; Looking back it was all God doing what God does best, orchestrating that all things work together for good to those that love Him. For whatever the cause, it was for our good and their good and we need to accept that even when it hurts. I don't believe that many do it intentionally they are just following God's leading. There is a lesson to learn in this for everyone involved if we are willing.

Jesus says, Follow Me, James and John left their father on the boat in the middle of fishing to follow Jesus, need I say more? When Jesus says, Come, follow me, we better go not worrying about who decides to stay behind. Remember the man that said to Jesus I will follow but first let me bury my father and Jesus said let the dead bury the dead, choose you this day who will you serve?

We are not responsible to accommodate people's feelings only facts we are responsible to obey God.

Some would be led to believe that due to the trouble after saying yes, it wasn't God's will. They might even tell you your to busy and you moved out on your own. Yet on the other hand a true disciple of God knows that once you say yes, you better gird up cause ya know trouble is coming! Amen! We do not want to get in the way of what God tells others to do, so we should just support and pray cause really it ain't any of our business!

So how do we know that we know whether something is of God or not? See if it lines up with scripture and well, only time will tell. Know this, its not only the world that creates opposition but also those the enemy uses in the body of Christ. When we are to be seeking to serve Jesus in our own sphere of influence some are sabotaging His work in and around us. The Lord says, be strong in grace, be able to teach and endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus and lastly a good soldier of Jesus wars, but does not entangle herself with the affairs of this life! Don't get caught in the drama and the mud, sisters focus on Christ. 2Tim 2

Oh, and how do we know, read this with me:

Acts 5:29 (I will paraphrase) Peter says to all ; We ought to obey God rather than man!
v30We are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him. How do we get power, obedience!

Don't waste your time on what others are doing, be faithful to what you have been called to do!
Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing.

v39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Sisters, in the name of Jesus as you walk in faith to accomplish the assignment that the Lord has laid before you, trust that adversity will come in many shapes and forms. Trust this, if God has ordained it to be, your adversity is not against you personally, but against the God that assigned it to you. Blessed are they that are persecuted for His name sake. Matt 5 (However, if you have moved out on your own agenda and gone ahead of the Lord, trust me, He may be reeling you back in. Examine your heart and motives.)

Jealousy and insecurities abound in our society amongst women, because they seek women to fulfil their needs and instead of Jesus. Those who struggle seek to be accepted by women and neglect the acceptance of who they are in Christ Jesus. They for ever hear the truth and never come to the learning of applying it to be over comers of the sin. This makes women very unhappy, and very jealous of those who have exercised their faith to be set free through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only but GRACE for those of us who have been set free it is because we believe the promises that are given to us through scriptures!

When our work in the Lord is attacked, blamed, accused and persecuted please remember we have one enemy Satan himself and he uses the insecurities and negativity of others as a distraction for us. Remember you cannot fight jealousy, you cannot convince insecurity to be secure all you can do is remind them the power is in Jesus to be free. They are not your enemy, just unfortunately being used unknowingly by him.

Pray for our sisters who are entangled with the affairs of this world, and continue to pray for those who are enduring the hardness faithfully.

The overall purpose is reconciliation and unity that is the heart of God for His children to fellowship together, is it not?

Women need to realize that they have a choice, "to die to live" or "live to die" its up to us individually. Do not let women tear you down because they chose death an rather live as a victim to circumstances rather than raise up victorious. Anything that stands in your way avoid it, if God wants to get your attention if you are abiding in Him the Holy Spirit will convict you and direct your steps. It is He that establishes our thoughts, put the works in our hands, and lights our path. He will speak to you directly. Live out Grace, trust in Him, and obey despite the cost!

Trust in God alone an not man (woman).

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He is Able~

Life may seem illogical, unexplainable, even challenging but know that God is able. In all of our best efforts in our own strength we fail, however thru the power of God now we are talking. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us pours out His grace to fulfil our purpose in this life.

Did you ever wonder how you got where you are at? You started off in one direction took a u'ee and now you are somewhere completely different. Do you ever wonder where you should be and if you are living life with purpose?

Please know that God has saved us with a holy calling and purpose now all we have to do is believe it. Be persuaded that He is able. The question is are we willling? Paul says, I know who I believed and I am persuaded. How about us? What do we believe and does it persaude us?

I believe alot of us are held back because of fear. Fear is of the enemy and it paralizes us in our tracks. But can we believe this, v7 For God is not given us the spirit of fear, so if fear overcomes us we must identify it immediately as from the enemy and tear it down because we have been given the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Do we believe this? Are we persauded that this is for us or do we think, Umm this is just for those who are really close to God it couldnt possibly mean me also.

V13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Believe the words written in the scriptures, believe them with faith and love for Jesus and allow yourself to be fully persuaded that they are for you.

Be not ashamed, you have been given the spirit of power, love and sound mind. Trust and obey, live out your destiny according to God's plan. You will naturally be drawn to your path of life by allowing the Grace of God to cover you, motivate you and guide you. If you know it and believe now committ it unto him, He will take care of it.

2 Tim 1:Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 12b nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I believed, and I am persuaded that HE IS ABLE to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

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Website is almost done!!!!!

Whole Heart Ministries website has finally taking its turn from being under construction to almost there!!! It takes alot of thought and effort to come up with just what you are looking for and I am thrilled. Check us out www.wholeheartministry.com we have a facebook fan page and will have an In Her Heart section for all of our issues featured articles and subscriptions online!! Just wanted to share that our dear sister Sue has done a fab job, as you can see. What a blessing we are so grateful for her williness to volunteer to help us. Let us know what you think! We love feedback.

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