Will we be good ground and strive to do the word and not just hear it? Will we be stony ground or ground filled with thorns? Or, will we allow the enemy to steal the word right out from under us by letting it go in one ear and out the other like those by the wayside? We have a choice as to what type of ground we will be. Let’s choose to be good ground and allow the word of God to get deep inside of our hearts, producing the fruit of the spirit.

What Kind of Ground Are You? Part 3 of 3 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

The third place that the sower’s seed fell on was ground full of thorns. Jesus explains in Mark 4:18-19 that these are those that hear the word “and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful”. The first example that came to my mind when I read this was the incident with Lot’s wife in Genesis 19:17;25-26. In Genesis 19:17, Lot’s family is instructed to leave Sodom and not to look back. As they are leaving verses 25 and 26 describe how Lot’s wife looked back at the city and was turned to a pillar of salt. This story speaks volumes when compared to the seed that feel on ground covered in thorns. Lot’s wife looking back at her past was a mirror image of the word being sown on ground with thorns.

What Kind of Ground Are You? Part 2 of 3 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

In verse 14, Jesus says that the sower sows the Word. He then explains that the ones by the wayside is where the word is sown and satan immediately takes the word away that was sown. How can satan take away the word that is sown? One example can be found in Matthew 13:53-58. Here, Jesus goes to His hometown of Nazareth. Verse 54 describes how He taught the people in the synagogue and they were amazed saying “Where did this Man get this wisdom and mighty works?” Because they were familiar with Him and His family, they didn’t believe. Verse 55 says “Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?” Because of their familiarity, they were offended by Him. Jesus preached (sowed) the word  to these people, but like the seed that fell by the wayside, it did not yield any fruit.

What Kind of Ground Are You? Part 1 of 3 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Ephesians 5:27 says “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” How will we know we have spots or blemishes unless God shows them to us? We are to feel encouraged and inspired to seek God’s help to change. Not discouraged and condemned.

Deuteronomy 8:5 says “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.” Can you remember being punished or scolded by your parents? Words that may have often accompanied these times were “I’m doing this because I love you” or “it’s for your own good”. As children, we didn’t understand how love could be associated with being on punishment, having to stand in the corner, or getting  a whooping. But, as adults, we can understand it now. God’s love is no different from that of our parents’ back then (see also Hebrews 12:6)…

to be continued…

Encouraged Not Discouraged Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Another reason for not speaking up is that we want to be peaceful. This was the problem I faced. I didn’t want to rub anybody the wrong way, or cause anyone to be upset. Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let no your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” When we have the peace that Jesus spoke about, we are not worried about what other’s will say or think if we speak up. Although Jesus had peace, He knew when to speak up. He didn’t let His peace hinder Him from bringing correction to error. My husband made an interesting observation once. He noticed how people seem to portray Jesus in pictures and movies as if He was weak and allowed everyone to walk all over Him. This was not the case at all. In Matthew 21:12-13, Jesus went into the temple turned over the tables and threw those that bought and sold out. In these verses, Jesus is clearly upset, and He doesn’t allow the foolishness going on in the temple to continue. Another example of Jesus bringing correction can be found in Matthew 23:1-36. In These scriptures, He brought correction to the scribes and the pharisees. He called them out and told them the way they lived and behaved was wrong. He even called them serpents and brood of vipers(see Matthew 23:33) .

I believe we are tested in the areas that we seek God for help with. If we fail, we will see the test again and again until we pass. I say this from experience. Once I asked God to help me and give me courage to speak up for things, I began to get tested. If I may be completely honest with you, I failed a couple of times miserably. I even tried to avoid certain situations because I was afraid. But, I didn’t allow it to discourage me. I continued to ask God for the courage and ability to speak up for myself.  Don’t allow the enemy to keep you afraid to speak up. Remember the root of this problem is fear. Ask God to help you and give you the strength and courage to stand up and speak up for things that you know are right. Be encouraged by the daughters of Zelophehad. Be bold and don’t worry about what others will think or say. As long as you remain under the hand of God and obey Him, that is all you should be concerned about.

“What you can tolerate, you cannot change”~ Timothy Jones

Speaking Up Part 2 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

In Numbers 27, the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan go over to the promised land. They had already went to war and defeated a couple of nations, taking that land. Numbers 27:1 talks about a man named Zelophehad. He was a descendant of Joseph. Back then, when a man died, he left the inheritance to his son(s). The problem was, Zelophehad died having no sons, he only had daughters. So, when the time would come for the Israelites to get their inheritances in the promised land, these women would be left out. The five women went to Moses and asked for a possession. Numbers 27:4 says “Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.” Moses went to God with this issues. In Numbers 27:8-11, God told him that the daughters of Zelophehad were right. God then instructed Moses to tell the Israelites that if a man died not having any sons, the inheritance would be passed to his daughters. If there were no daughters, then to the man’s brother, if no brothers then the man’s father’s brothers (the man’s uncles) would receive the inheritance. If there were none, the next of kin would receive the inheritance. God made this the Inheritance Law. Because these women chose to speak up for themselves, other’s wouldn’t miss out on receiving an inheritance. Had they just sat back saying “we don’t want to cause trouble or offend anyone” they would have missed out.

Speaking Up Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

I was watching a show on TV recently about the end times and the details surrounding the return of Christ. Some were saying that the book of Revelation was written for the time period it was written in, and some were saying that it is prophetic and applies to our life today. God’s word is living. It can be applied to the time back then. But, it applies to today as well.

In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus gives us details word for word about what to look for during the last days. When you put the bible side by side with the newspaper, it almost says the exact same thing. As I read this chapter, I can think of at least one event that has recently taken place in the world that coincides with the details Jesus has given us. In verses 4-5, Jesus tells us that many will come claiming to be the Christ. This makes me think about the numerous cults that have been on the news throughout the years, the cult leader claiming to be Christ. Verse 6, wars and rumors of wars. Reading that I thought of the continuous conflict in the Middle East. The famines and pestilences mentioned in verse 7 brought the H1N1 situation to mind along with the hunger and starvation around the world. Earthquakes are mentioned in verse 7 as well. The most recent being the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, the earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, and a smaller earthquake that took place on the east coast in August of 2011. These are just examples of recent events in the world. There have been other events with in the past 10 years that line up with this chapter as well. Jesus warns us about false prophets in verse 11. There are many false prophets. Those that claim that they are real but they are just wolves in sheep’s clothing. Another thing mentioned during the show that I watched is there are some people trying to predict when Jesus will return. Matthew 24:36-44 tells us that no one knows the hour. Only God knows the hour.

How you live here on earth determines how you will spend eternity. The question I want to ask you is have you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior? Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” You can’t get to Heaven any other way. Accepting Jesus into your heart and into your life is not hard at all. If you would like to accept Him into your life take a moment to pray and ask Him. You don’t have to use fancy words. There is no secret method. You simply say something like this:

“Jesus come into my heart. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins. I believe that You are Lord. I repent for the wrong that I have done and I ask for your forgiveness. Amen”

Being ready for Jesus’ return does not mean to walk around paranoid. God gives us instructions on how to live in His word. We will never be perfect. But if we press toward the mark everyday and rely on God to help us with every aspect of our lives, we will reach the finish line.

A friend from Polyvore shared this video with me and I thought I’d share it with all of you…

Will You Be Ready? is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

I’m sure many of you remember being on the receiving end of your mother’s belt. If you remember the experience, you may also remember the words that followed those swats. “I’m doing this because I love you” As a child, you probably didn’t understand the concept of disciplining someone out of love. However, those lessons followed us all the way to adulthood. Some of us wouldn’t be the wonderful women we are today, had we not been instructed to “go get the switch ”. Proverbs 3:12 says “For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” So, just as our parents disciplined us because they love us, God also disciplines us out of love. I believe God sometimes corrects us because He wants to bless us. He knows we won’t be able to handle the blessing in our present state. So, when He corrects us, if we obey, we will be able to get what He had in store for us.

OUCH!!! Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

Asking ourselves why we’re doing something can be a hard question to ask. No one wants to see negativity within. But, if we walk around blind, how can we have victory? Know that a motive check is not a one time thing. This is something we must constantly stay on top of. Our motives can be pure one day with one endeavor and completely wrong with another the next day. However, keeping our motives pure is not hard if we seek God’s help. Ask the Lord to show you when you are not doing something for the right reasons. Let’s have the courage to do regular motive checks and be bold enough to to do nothing if we can’t do it for the right reasons.

Good Works Wrong Motives Part 2 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com

The second part of 1 Corinthians 4:5 says “…who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”  God see our hearts. People may not see or hearts motives, but God does. What is more important? Getting a smile from people, or getting a smile from God? I’ll take God’s smile any day

There is a show on TV that my husband and I often watch. This show features various people that have experienced death and lived to tell about it . One thing in particular many of these people talk about is experiencing  judgment. Romans 14:12 says “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” We will have to give an account of not only our actions but our motives as well. God doesn’t reward wrong motives. Jesus talked about this in Matthew 6:1-4.

Good Works Wrong Motives Part 1 of 2 is a post from: Mrs. BliSs for WomantoAnother.com