A Woman of the World and a Woman of the Word: A Heart Transformation

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

In Christ, the deceitful phrases “we are who we are” or “people don’t change” hold no power over us. With the Holy Spirit as our teacher and counselor, it is possible to have a heart change, and be transformed from our old self, values and thought patterns into a renewed person with kingdom values. To be committed to a true heart change we have to search the word of God, listen to his still voice and be willing to let go of many false, tightly held ideas. We have to be committed to hard work, and have a willing and teachable heart. For women who are soaked in the word of God, heart change is evident. They have let go of self, and seek to serve and live in submission to Christ. With God’s help, we can have the adornment of a soft and quiet spirit. We can be full of the ‘good fruits’ of the Word.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17

For women it can be tempting to walk the popular, accepted way. The popular way looks (falsely so) ‘more fun’, ‘less burdensome’, and requires a lot less giving up of self. There is fun in focusing on ourselves and having the calendar booked up with appointments, hair, nails, social activities, fun things, nights out, spending the money made. But where does this all lead? What is the end of the path? The end of the path is….self. And self leads to nowhere. It is a dead end. (there is nothing wrong with taking care of ourselves reasonably and healthily so that we can be healthy and whole to take care of others, the problem lies in that the main and consuming focus is on self.) Or in buying the world’s lie that we need to ‘have it all’ to really be worthy or that child rearing is menial work best left to others we hire. If we live by the world’s standards, our roots are shallow and will not last, because this world and all it’s false wisdom, ideas and thoughts will pass away. For a woman of the world, the next promotion, bonus, phase of life, bigger house, bigger car, or beauty appointment may be an accomplishment or something to look forward too, but these things are not rooted in truth. It doesn't look bad on the outside, in fact this life looks happy and successful, like something we should all work to attain. What is wrong with it? The world is the master and the god. A heart focused on self becomes prideful and puffed up, hardened by it’s own ways. It becomes a ‘stony heart of flesh.’

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:17

Paul (then known as Saul) was one of the worst persecutors of Christians before he met Christ. He was even present at Stephen’s stoning. He truly believed that Christianity was dangerous to Judaism and probably thought he had a sincere heart. When he met Christ, God showed him his ideals were misguided and couldn't be more wrong. Christ revealed to Paul his own stony heart of flesh, even blinded Paul for three days--- without Christ, Paul was living blindly. After he came to know Christ, all the good qualities about Paul, including his intensity, were used for God’s kingdom. He now had a ‘new heart of flesh’ to see clearly and live a holy life for God. Many times as women we are like Paul. The world’s values we have adopted seem like the ones to follow. We have what we think is a sincere heart yet we are truly blind. We need Christ to open our eyes like he did Paul’s, and show us how to live. God will take our good qualities, and renew and refine us to live for Him. First, we must come to God with a willingness to be transformed. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

A woman of the word is one who lives her life by God’s standards, he is the Master and only One she serves. She is soaked in the word, not in the world, and lives it out consistently whether it is popular or not. Her life is not wrapped up in her activities her social gatherings, new clothes or beauty treatments, but in Jesus, where her identity lies. As she lives for Him, follows Him, lays herself down at his feet, she is following the One who will never pass away. She is living for eternity. She is settled in spirit, because she abides in Christ, and does not worry that all the world offers that is passing by is anything she is missing.

Her life is not frantic and chaotic, but resting at the feet of the One who matters. She takes time to read the word, and then live it and allow it’s eternal truths to transform her. She can see others for who they are in Him, and treat them as His children. They are not to be used for her gain or promotion, but to love and serve. Self is not a god in the heart of a woman of the word. Her heart is softened by coming to a true understanding of the love of Christ, not puffed up or prideful. She can only boast of what Christ has done in her, for it is His power residing in her and apart from Him she can bear no fruit of lasting worth. She recognizes the worlds subtle lies for what they are, and they hold no value to her. She doesn't cling to the world, but to the word of God which is her hope and life, which will never pass away. God has given her a new heart and a new spirit. She lives and invests in that which is lasting, the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: “Lord, I want to be a woman of God with a soft and quiet heart to listen and be changed. Renew my heart and mind by revealing the half truths I have believed and replacing them with your pure and holy truth. Then give me the strength of character and a willingness to let go of old habits to be a doer of the word and enable me to put what I have learned into action. Amen”

“...likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,  but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

“A godly woman is beyond average because she keeps her word. She honors her vows. She exhibits great faith. She overcomes great obstacles. And she affects her family, her community, even the world.” -Elizabeth George

Mothering in a Pop Culture Society

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

Keeping up with pop culture is time consuming. TV shows, magazines, celebrity gossip, the latest celebrity “news” every day is big business in America. Pop culture can easily become a sort of “idol” to keep up with that adds to our busyness and unsettled hearts. It can distract us and cause our feet to slip off the path of God’s ways.

For tired, busy mothers of young children, escaping into the mindless pop culture can be a relief or coping mechanism. When we fix our minds and hearts on fleeting things of culture, things that will change tomorrow--- we are chasing after the wind. Dissatisfaction and thinking that the ideals of culture will satisfy us can easily begin to take root. Something that seems ‘harmless’ begins to seep in and steal the peace of God from us. Watching our favorite shows or movies isn’t harmful in itself. It starts to become harmful when a bulk of time is ‘wasted’ on keeping up and it causes a neglect of focusing on God’s ways. Focusing on ‘gossip’ about others and trying to keep up with the latest fads and trends, distracts the woman of God from her true mission.  “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

As mothers, fixing our eyes on God’s purposes, spending our time learning His ways and listening to Him, and teaching our children about God leads to the rich and satisfying life of living in His presence. God isn’t fleeting or changing and tomorrow will not be a race to keep up with Him. He won’t make us feel dissatisfaction if we fail to comb our hair, dress in the best trends, or own the latest and greatest of everything. Mother’s are God’s children, and he gives us no command to stress about keeping up with the culture around us. He wants us to keep up with our children, with molding and shaping their hearts, imparting His love and wisdom to them so that we are investing in the Kingdom of God every day.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8

When our minds and hearts become focused on gossip and untruth, we become restless and influenced away from God. No longer are we satisfied with what God has provided and the mission he’s put in front of us. Our contentment levels drop and we begin to seek happiness and entertainment as our primary goal. The enemy would like to distract mother’s from their greatest work---raising children for God’s Kingdom, and he will do it in the smallest and most subtle of ways, tricking us into thinking they are harmless.  “Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.” 1 Timothy 5:13

We can make wise choices about what media we do consume as mothers and then choose to let the rest go. As women of the word, not women of the world, we are living in the freedom of Christ, clothed in his righteousness. We are not slaves to keep up with pop culture, gossip, or anything we are told is worthy of distracting us from our most important work. We can spend our time on things worthy and admirable, walking with Christ, and doing His work. We don’t live in fear of falling behind or keeping up with a culture that does not follow God’s ways and will lead to unfruitfulness. We can abide in Jesus everyday, knowing He will not leave us behind. We can only bear fruit as we abide in Him and commit wholeheartedly to the way of the Lord.

Prayer: “Lord, guard my heart and mind against distractions from the holy work you’ve given me. Give me sharp and discerning eyes to see what I do not need to partake of. Guard me and keep me so my feet do not slip off of your path. Amen.”

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

“...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you…” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

“The simple believes everything,

   but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Proverbs 14:15

“Your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and heaven shall make amends for all.” -Thomas Brooks

The Wilderness

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.” Proverbs 17:3

When things are easy and ‘smooth sailing’ in life, we tend to coast through.  Our supposed comfort fools us into thinking there is no need to focus on the purifying work of God in our lives, or removing that which stands in the way of a deeper relationship with Him. God uses our trials to refine our faith, show us His way of life, and desires that we walk with Him through our wilderness. If we genuinely turn our hearts back from mans way to God’s way, we will find meaning and purpose in even the deepest pain.

Seeking God will eventually lead to a life transformation. If we have clung to our own ways, which keep us in bondage, and we turn from them to study God’s word, and commit to removing from our lives that which God asks us to, His transforming peace changes our minds and hearts. Building a close relationship with God as we walk through our trials is not something unattainable. Making a point to spend time in God’s word daily: studying and yet reading it as a living word, a living instruction guide to His children. God’s word is living and active, and He sees the “humble and contrite heart” that seeks Him.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17

The humble and contrite heart, one that is repentant for seeking one’s own way and has turned his heart to Jesus, is willing to be transformed and changed by God, and willing to give up his own way and now turn to God’s way. A heart that is prideful and not aware of it’s own desperate need for God is not a heart ready to truly accept the changes God will bring. Sometimes we accept Jesus as savior of the world in head knowledge, yet the transforming work that we should accept being done in our lives is fought tooth and nail. Most of the time we do not want to give up old habits, ways of thinking and to simply be seen as different than most people. We are afraid to not be popular. Are we the same as we were before we accepted Christ and understood His sacrifice? Then we have not accepted the transforming work of God in our lives and applied ourselves with diligence and a humble, teachable heart.  “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

Joseph, being sold into slavery by his own brothers, then thrown into jail, walked through a wilderness of his own. Certainly as a human being he felt doubt, sorrow, and abandonment. Yet, his heart remained faithful and trusting in God. Even in jail, Joseph trusted God and did his best with even the smallest tasks given to him. “The Lord was with him, making everything run smoothly and successfully.” Genesis 39:23  Joseph’s faithfulness eventually led him to favor with Pharaoh, put in charge of the entire land of Egypt, even preventing famine in his land because of his wisdom and humble heart that listened to God. “For he is a man that is obviously filled with the spirit of God.” Genesis 41:38  Joseph’s heart for God, his willingness to not give in to bitterness, spite and depression, resulted in God’s blessing and peace as he walked through his own personal trials. “For he said, God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:52

Hannah, in deep anguish, walked in her wilderness of childlessness and pain. Determined not to lose hope for a child, “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:10  She took her pain to the Lord, instead of becoming angry and resentful or even hopeless. She turned not to her own way, but to God’s way. God heard her humble and contrite heart. “For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” 1 Samuel 1:16 God blessed Hannah with her son Samuel, and she took her gratitude to God. “My heart rejoices in the Lord! Oh how the Lord has blessed me! Now I have an answer for my enemies, as I delight in your deliverance.” 1 Samuel 2:1

When we turn our heart to God in our trials, our desperation's, our sorrows and brokenness, He is there.  We must have faith and trust in God’s character and not let bitterness, envy, or anger take root in our hearts. We can trust His work even in the deepest pain, that He is not abandoning us but refining us to grow closer to Him, and grow more like Jesus. God loves His children and wants what is best for them, not in material wealth but in soul health. God refines and purifies us to accomplish His purpose in us.

Prayer: “Lord, guide me through my heartache, pain and the testing of my faith through the fire. Refine me and guide me, show my heart how to only walk in your ways. Remove from my life bad habits, patterns of thought and obstacles to seeing you and walking with you. Amen.”

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10

“If I walk with the world, I can't walk with God.” D.L. Moody

“If we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and self-seeking and pleasure

and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God, and I believe many a

man is praying to God to fill him when he is full already with something else.” D.L. Moody

Hidden Idols Behind Closed Doors

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21

There may not be a visible golden calf set up in our living room that we bow down and worship, but for most of us, there are things in the heart and our own lives that we value so highly that they take a higher place than God in our lives. Valuing God’s law as a perfect treasure above all else replaces every idol we so easily set up. Idols silently creep into our lives because of lax focus and diligence towards our faith. A mindset of ‘everyone else is doing it, even other Christian’s’ easily keeps many from stepping forward in true faith to live a life solely devoted to the one true God. “Fear of man”--- of stepping out in faith to do what we know God has asked us to do because we fear walking our own road, is an idol.

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” Psalm 119:1-3

Doing what everyone else does to ‘keep up’ while being spiritually depleted in our hearts and ignoring the gentle whisper of God, not seeking God and truly making changes, not working hard to seek the truth of God’s word so that we may walk with Him because we are so distracted by the ‘good things’---idols---of this world. These are ‘hidden’ idols in our hearts. Putting men---even preachers and great Bible teachers and what they say---above God and above the perfect truth of His word, can lead us astray. Many times in the Bible God allowed advisers to kings to come under a spirit of foolishness. Even these great and wise advisers in the eyes of men could not rightly discern God’s way.

“The LORD has sent a spirit of foolishness on them, so all their suggestions are wrong. They cause Egypt to stagger like a drunk in his vomit.” Isaiah 19:14

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man.” (Psalm 118:8)  Making God our refuge, studying His word diligently, following his paths, removing idols in our lives that block our spiritual eyesight will bring peace and a renewed heart. It will bring the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. God will faithfully guide us as we commit to removing distractions and focus our hearts solely on Him.  Abraham, Joseph, David, Noah, Jonah, Moses---- all followed God’s path. He did not guide them through any man, ritual or church attendance, but through His relationship with them. They sought God, not man, and fulfilled God’s purpose for them. They walked with their creator, knew Him, and followed his statutes. Could any of them have walked under the fear of man and still walked by the spirit of God? The pressure to keep up with others, do what they did to fit in or feel falsely satisfied, conform, even to the masses around them would have held them back.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalm 119:9

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)  Like Abraham, we have a place that is our inheritance.  We must be willing to walk by faith alone, and trust God’s plan for us, even if it means separating from the crowd. There is no inheritance on earth. Temporary money, or property, or possessions will all pass away and not be carried with us into eternity. The inheritance of those who walk with God, who listen when he calls our their name, is eternal. We may not see where we are going, but God does, and His are the only eyes we need. We can obey, by faith, like Abraham, and look to the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

“And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:23

When we believe God, leaning the weight of our whole life on Him, we can easily cast off sin, idolatry, and belief in any tradition, habit, or way of man that holds us back from our walk with God. He will guide us and free our spirits of these entanglements, so we are no longer enslaved to the world. The enemy will use anything, no matter how subtle, to distract us and take us away from our purpose. Studying God’s word, keeping watch to follow His ways, turning back when we slip, and a willing heart to give up old habits is what the “faith of our fathers” consisted of. Getting rid of the hidden idols in our lives brings peace, joy, greater faith, and freedom from the bondages the enemy wishes to keep the children of God entangled in.

Prayer: "Lord, open the eyes of my heart to the idols that hold me back in fear---fear of following only you. Give me peace and guide me in your ways. Show me how to follow only you and follow your word, so that I may drink of your living water." Amen.

“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.  Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.” Psalm 119:14-19

“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God, your functional savior.” ~Martin Luther

“‎A careful reading of the Old and New Testaments shows that idolatry is nothing like the crude picture that springs to mind of a sculpture in some distant country. The idea is highly sophisticated, drawing together the complexities of motivation in individual psychology, the social environment, and also the unseen world. Idols are not just on pagan altars, but in well-educated human hearts and minds.” ~Richard Keyes

Have A Family? You Have a Ministry!

“He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right.” Titus 2:14

So many search high and low for their “calling,” they scatter here and there involving themselves in every activity and their addiction to busyness. Meanwhile, their children are growing up much without their devotion and guidance, and the years are gone. Searching for a ministry or a “purpose” they never really found. This ministry was in front of them all those years just waiting---their own family and children. Buying into the lie that investing in anywhere but home was worthwhile and being afraid what that might require, the fulfillment that came from busyness and a ‘full schedule’ was seen as what was best. The enemy’s lie was bought into under the cover of “good things”---things that don’t look bad on the outside, may not be inherently wrong, but served as a distraction from the real ministry.

If we have a family, we have a ministry. Living the gospel out in our homes, ministering to the ones God has placed in front of us---is a calling. Pouring ourselves into everyone around us while treating those in front of us as less deserving of seeing and hearing the faith lived out is neglectful. It is honoring God with our actions outside our homes of busyness, yet not honoring God in our hearts. Some are afraid of the hidden work of the home life. The mundane tasks, the lack of thanks, and the total commitment to doing what is right that this work requires. It can’t be done half heartedly, but we must abide in Jesus for this fruit to begin to blossom in our lives. It takes many years of dedication, building up the home, weathering storms, and dying to self. It is not ‘feel good’ work in the way that a busy schedule and being out of the home gives some temporary satisfaction. We have to pray that the blindness that keeps us from seeing the value of the ministry to those in front of us is removed.

God grows us in our homes. We learn what deep, abiding peace is,  being truly satisfied and content with the work we are doing. Some are afraid of quiet, or what the silence of a less busy, home abiding lifestyle will bring, they are afraid of facing themselves, or of truly listening to God. When we follow God’s ways, he blesses us with inner peace. Old habits or a lifestyle we were afraid to give up are nothing compared to obeying and walking God’s path. Busyness with the wrong things does not mean we are living obediently to God. Busyness does not equal righteousness. Obeying God, allowing him to purify us, strip away our idols and become people who truly abide in him and walk with him daily is what refines us and grows us. This spills over into our homes.

We have to train our children in the ways of God. This is very hard to do with a full, overly busy activity based schedule. It can’t be done with one or two memorized scriptures, or weekly church attendance. We can’t train for a marathon with one or two runs---it requires sacrifice and even pain, but we know there is no chance of making it to the finish line without training. When we are committed to training our children, God trains us along the way with them.  It requires devotion, total commitment to walking God's way and wisdom that this will require giving up many other things.  Yet, when we devote ourselves to those God puts in front of us, and we are faithful to do every good work for God, we see we gave nothing up, but gained Christ.

Prayer: “Lord, show me how to forsake the call of the world and hear the call of your voice. Show me how to live the calling and ministry I have to my family first so that I am not neglectful of the good work you have prepared in advance for me to do.” Amen.

“By their wrong teaching, they have already turned whole families away from the truth.” ~Titus 2:11

“Such people claim to know God, but deny him by the way they live.” ~Titus 2:16

“But as for you, promote the kind of right living that reflects right teaching.” ~Titus 2:1

“Love begins by taking care of the closest ones---the ones at home.” ~Mother Teresa

Irreplaceable

“What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?” ~Esther 4:14

God has a plan and purpose for each of us. He has us here for “such a time as this.” When we submit to his will, and allow his strength to work in us, he will accomplish great things through us. The mission he has for us may not look glamourous, or make us famous. It may seem daunting, impossible, and the challenges may seem insurmountable. If we look closely enough at the people in front of us, situations we face, and we have a living faith in the God who saves us, we will see his direction for us. So many of God’s people have faced impossible circumstances, yet God used them at that time to accomplish his great purpose. David, a small boy, facing Goliath and defeating him. Noah, building an ark for decades and walking in obedience to God. Esther, saving her people from certain death and risking death herself. John, serving as forerunner to Jesus, a loyal and loving servant who spread the Gospel.

“They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” ~Acts 14:22

Many of us want to run away from what we perceive as difficulty and a life that is less than easy.  Leaning on God’s strength, our character grows, God molds us and shapes us, and we learn more about who he is. We come to understand Jesus more through our service to God and through the challenges we face. Each of us, like God’s people in the Bible, have a valuable service to perform for him. God has placed what is before us so that with his direction we will act. “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die.” Esther 4:14    

For Esther, the people God placed right before her were the ones she needed to save and to act for. He put her right in the center of her mission for him. She could not keep quiet, the consequences were dire, and she had to act out of trust and faith in God to be with her. Instead of whining, running away, seeking distraction or an easier way, she stayed just where she was and fulfilled her purpose for such a time as this.  As Christians, how many of us are serving God by serving those right in front of us? Are we running away, seeking distraction, and undervaluing ourselves in the work God has for us? The enemy will seek to distract us however he can from the mission God has in front of us.

If God has placed being a mother on our path in this time, then that is our first mission, our calling from God. It may seem small and insignificant, the daily repetitive tasks, the training repeated over and over, but it is God’s work for us. We are irreplaceable in this role at this time and God will use our weaknesses to glorify himself. We don’t want to leave a mother-sized hole in our children’s hearts by withholding from them, being distracted with other “more important” missions while they sit on the sidelines, waiting for their hearts to fill with what only we are designed to fill. If Esther had not followed through with courage, someone else would have filled her role but her and her relatives would have died. Her role was pivotal and designed by God. We don’t want to “keep quiet” in our role for God. We should lean on his strength and wisdom and then live out our faith, by living out the mission of motherhood right in front of us. For we have been called to our own palace for such a time as this.

We are neglecting a holy, and pure calling from God when we neglect the mission of motherhood. When we believe the lies that surround us, that we are worth more elsewhere, that dollar signs attached to our name will make us worthy, or that other activities will fill us or make us feel valued and boost our “self esteem.” God has placed little ones in front of us to perform our mission wholeheartedly for him. Trusting in His wisdom, and not the worlds. Believing his promises, and standing on them confidently---not believing the world’s weak lies. If the great people of the Bible had lacked faith and courage, faltered in their strong faith in God, not believed in his promises, their great missions for God would have been neglected. As mothers, we also have a great mission, an irreplaceable one, and we are called to have faith and courage enough to fulfill it.

Esther was willing to give her life for her people. As mothers, we must be willing to give our lives for our children, to lay ‘self’ down every day, to risk pouring our whole hearts into our families for God.  He will not fail us, he is faithful and blesses our faithfulness to the mission he has put in front of us. God’s blessing may not come with immediate reward, or material wealth, but he guides us, strengthens us and gives us peace. We can rest in him and abide in him as we fulfill the mission he has placed before us.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” ~Acts 20:24

“I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” ~Isaiah 46:11

“You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house, and making your house a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.” ~Charles Spurgeon

Why Non-Conformity Matters

“You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness---righteous, holy and true.”

~Ephesians 4:24

There wasn’t much about Jesus’ character that he conformed to those around him. He loved others, cared for them, befriended them, but he did not try to be like them, or to win them over with his sameness. He won them with his love and healing. There was something different  about Jesus, and the crowds gathered wherever he went. His light shone before all men and he did not have need to  worry about how others viewed him for God to do his work. Jesus’ concern was being a member of heaven, not of earth. Jesus ministered, healed, walked and lived according to the Word. To those he touched he loved, healed, forgave, and then said “go, and sin no more.”  He spoke out to the Pharisees, to those who were skeptical. He only loved, valued the human heart and let people know their eternal worth. But he did not conform.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ~Romans 12:2

The Jubilee Bible 2000 translates this as “do not be conformed to this age…”  The American Standard versions says “And be not fashioned according to this world…” So often, we are fashioned to the world, and conformed to the present age. We are always changing and riding whatever current wave of political correctness hits us next. Our simplicity in Christ becomes watered down, and our foundations crumble as we become white washed. People responded to Jesus because they were searching for a peace and love that was different than what the world offered not a love that was changed and twisted to blend in with the worlds definition of what it should look like. God doesn’t need our worrying about blending in, he will do his work and use us as his instruments. He needs our faithfulness, our separation for him and towards him, so that our lights can shine before all men. He needs our steadfast commitment to non conformity so that our hearts are not compromised; they are pure and ready to do his work.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” ~2 Corinthians 11:3

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His church will always reach people, he does not need our faulty human wisdom to decide how to update him or compromise him. As Christians, we are only called to conform to Christ. We don’t have to conform to customs, watch current entertainment, live out the cultures “current” values, or have any concern about blending in. We can live as God calls us; trusting that we can reach those he asks us to reach for him. People are searching for something that will feed them living water to take away their thirst, and our shining light of a different life lived well, faithfully, with joy---with non conformity will draw them to Christ. In our hearts we are to be conformed to Christ’s kingdom, not the present and temporal world.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

~1 John 2:15

Non conformity used to be the standard among Christians. We are a people called out, set apart for Christ. During the time periods where Christianity spread the fastest it was never because of Christians conformity, but because of God and his work. The Muslim world is experiencing the biggest growth of Christianity in history. Yet, none of these Muslim’s have come to Christ because of any person or any church conforming to be popular. They come to Christ in countries where Christianity is outlawed and dangerous. They have visions, dreams, read a Bible, or speak to someone whose light is shining brightly for Christ, and they want to know what is different. God does not rely on anyone “updating” themselves to the current culture. In America, where most churches have made themselves current, young people leave the church after high school in large numbers and many leave Christianity behind.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” ~2 Corinthians 6:17

The human heart is made to desire a love that is lasting and eternal, one that remains unchanged. When culture is always changing, church’s are updating themselves and changing their foundational beliefs to suit the culture, it does not fill. Building on an unchanging foundation---God, and being taught how to live that out without needing to worry about being relevant, is the true freedom God desires for us. We are free from the cultures constant chains of updates and free to do God’s work, live for Christ, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit daily, reaching others. The freedom of the unchanging and ancient faith, the truths of living out the Word are never suited for conformity to a world that will pass away. These truths stand on the foundation and unchanging cornerstone---Christ. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.” ~Hebrews 13:8

Prayer: “Lord, show me where I have conformed. Where my heart and mind---my very lifestyle---have become compromised and lukewarm. Renew my heart and mind to be transformed and conformed to Christ. Help me to shine before others without worry of conforming and keeping up. Amen.”

“Don’t participate in the things these people do. For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:7-9

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18

“Build your nest upon no tree here; for you see God has sold the forest to death.” ~Samuel Rutherford

“Let none of us be content to tarry down below in the marshland of the poor poverty-stricken religion of this present day---but let us climb the high mountains where the sun of God’s grace is shining brightest---and stand there enjoying communion with Him, leaving the world.” -Charles Spurgeon