Blog - Meredith Ludwig Curtis

Is Jesus in Charge?

12/26/2012

"You are a great leader and you love being in charge. I think the problem is that you always want to be in control. It seems to be difficult for you to have others in charge."

Derek nodded his head, so I continued.

"Here's the problem, Derek. You are contending with Jesus. He wants control of your life, but I don't think you trust Him enough to let Him be charge, call the shots." I stopped talking. There was silence. After awhile, I continued, "If you resist His authority in your life, He will keep fighting you. If you keep resisting Him and He lets you run your own life, you will make a mess of things. Either way you lose."

"I don't think I trust God enough to give Him control."

The Problem

This conversation shocked me. Derek was the perfect Christian on the outside. He even did all kinds of things that no one ever saw. He had his Quiet Time every day, worked hard at his job earning the respect of other employees, and was a faithful man.

Why did he have such a hard time trusting God?

Stop Spending Money On That Person

5/27/2012

There is one person in our life that we seem to spend lots of money on. Sometimes we don't even realize how much money we spend on her. We don't like to think of ourselves spending so much on that person, but we do. If you want to grow in godliness, stop spending so much money on yourself! There, I said it.

Without realizing it, we think about things we want and need, laying our plans to purchase these things now or later. We are bombarded with messages from advertising on television, at the movies, in the mall, in the newspaper, on billboards when we drive, and from the people we love who know exactly what we "need." Somehow our mind gets wrapped around the idea that buying lots of stuff will make us happy, take away the pain in our lives, help us to become more organized, or help people to love us more. We know, of course, that stuff won't make us happy, but we are bombarded with the lie so often that we start to believe it.

Secret Stuff Area

We each have a secret stuff area. That is the area where we really believe that purchasing items of that kind will make us happy. My secret stuff area is shoes...it is just amazing how quickly a new pair of shoes can brighten up my day. Flowers, chocolate, clothes, music, CDs, DVDs, jewelry, electronic equipment, bling, designer purses, software, or accessories might be your secret stuff area. Maybe it is not so secret. Maybe it is more than one area...you just love to buy stuff for yourself.

We kid ourselves into thinking that the money we spend is all on others, but if you are honest and list everything you spend, you will find that you purchase all kinds of things for yourself. You might buy snacks, drinks, new clothes, comfort foods, music, books, or accessories on impulse when you are out shopping for the family or running errands. We don't think about it, but it adds up.

The Real Issue

The money we spend on ourselves isn't the most important thing, but rather the preoccupation with making ourselves happy and feeding our appetites. Greed, the desire for more stuff, is an appetite. When we feed it with little snacks (a bag of Combos or a bestseller at the check-out line), we are feeding the appetite of greed. What do we really need? How much do we really need? Can we wait to purchase this item later? How much more stuff does God really want us to have?

I'm not trying to sound harsh, but spending money on ourselves reveals the self-centered nature that is needing to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Another thing that reveals this selfish attitude is how unhappy we become when we cannot have what we want because our finances are tight. Is this really how a Christian lady should live and manage her money? How we spend our money reveals our heart and our priorities.

Examine Your Heart

Tithing New Testament Style II

3/11/2012

"You look great!" Sally gushed. "You look so happy! What is going on in your life?"

"The Lord has been so good to us! Listen to what He did..." Anne related a testimony of God's supernatural provision.

Sally listened and smiled.

"We just started tithing six months ago and it's changed everything for us. Not just financially,...." Anne continued to share with Sally how Christ was changing her life and her husband's life.

Tithing is an act of discipline and worship for the believer in Jesus. We talked last time about tithing in Tithing New Testament Style I, reminding us that everything belongs to God and we are simply stewards of His stuff and money. We also talked about investing in our Heavenly bank account. I love tithing because to me, it is like giving a present to the Lord. I just love giving gifts, so tithing is fun for me.

Shopping for the Lord!

The Amazing Word of God II

3/6/2012

The books of the Bible have always been recognized as having Scriptural authority.

Men did not meet together to pick and choose what would be called the Bible. All books of Scripture were immediately accepted as the Word of God.

People did not wonder if the letter to the Galatians was Scripture. They recognized it as such immediately.

Early church fathers cited passages in the New Testament as Scripture before the Council of Hippo in 419 where the canon was defended as the complete Word of God. Additions were rejected.

Before this council, Constantine had fifty copies made of the New Testament. The New Testament was already in place. The council merely confirmed it to stop heretics who were trying to add books that were not part of the canon.

Tithing New Testament Style I

3/4/2012

"Well, I've tried tithing and every time I do, God just doesn't come through," my friend sighed and looked down, embarrassed about not tithing and asking for prayer.

I asked him gently why he didn't tithe, knowing he had one financial trial and setback after another.

"What's the longest you tithed at one time?" I asked, confused about his answer. I had ALWAYS seen God come through. Did He sometimes not come through?

"Two months is the longest I ever tithed," he said firmly.

I was stunned. Two months? That's hardly any time at all.

Financial Training In My Childhood

When I was a little girl, my grandparents sent me two checks at Christmas and my birthday. The first went to my savings account, the second was to spend with joy. Yes, there were strings attached to the gifts and direction from the giver of the gifts. At the time, I did not like the idea of putting such a large chunk of money away in the bank. However, as my savings account began to grow, it was more fun to put money into the bank.

My parents gave me an allowance each week and part was to go into the offering plate at church. Usually, it was one-third of the total amount. I remember as a young girl getting $1.50 each week and 50 cents was to go into the offering plate. This was not easy to give away a third of "my money." Again, the giver of the money was dictating how the money was to be used.

Looking back I'm so thankful for both of these scenarios in my life because they prepared me to tithe with joy and consistency.

God is Like My Grandparents

The Amazing Word of God I

2/27/2012

Scripture teaches and trains.

It equips Christians for good works. God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), cleansing our minds and hearts (Ephesians 5: 26).

His promises, found in the Bible, allow us to participate in His divine nature and escape corruption. (II Peter 1:4)

If we memorize God’s Word and keep it in our hearts, we can avoid sin when we are tempted (Psalm 119:9-11).

The Bible is the very Word of God. It is infallible and without error in its original Greek text.

The books of Scripture were written by God.There are sixty-six books of the Bible and God used more than forty men from various walks of life to write them. The Holy Spirit came upon the authors and they wrote down the words God told them to write.

These books were written over a period of fifteen hundred years. The books were written in three different languages:Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew.Yet, one theme pervades all of Scripture: God’s love for, and redemption of, mankind from sin.

The Lord Jesus Christ is revealed in the Word of God from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation.The Bible reveals His Person, His purpose, and His plan.

Master Plan of Evangelism Review

1/20/2012

I finally read "The Master Plan of Evangelism," Laura admitted to me. (I thought she had read it years ago.)

"Did you like it?" I asked, dying to ask her why she had waited so long to read it when I had been begging her to read the book for nine years!

"I tried to read it several times, but it isn't really light reading material," she informed me.

I nodded in agreement. It isn't light reading material. In fact, while most books we read are written at a fifth to eighth grade level, this book is written for college students so it is a more challenging read.

"I loved the book!" Laura broke into my thoughts. "You were right about it making you see all of life in a new way."

"Really?"

"Really. I'm so glad I read it. I'll never be the same!"

I read T he Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman when I was a sophomore in college. This book changed my life! I have my children read it in high school for one of their Bible classes. It is a book that I would like to see more Christians read, especially homeschooling parents. Robert, born in 1928, grew up in Texas, attending a Methodist church. He pastored for six years and moved into teaching. He has a Masters in Theology from Princeton, a PhD from the University of Iowa, and a Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity International University. His writing style is academic, but don't let them keep you from reading this book.

Along the way, Dr. Coleman became convinced that schools were not the answer to raising up mighty men of God. He carefully studied the life of Jesus, coming to the conclusion that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing in laying a foundation for the Church. Dr. Coleman values Jesus' pattern of ministry and embraces it in his own life.

Jesus spent His life calling people to repent and believe while healing the sick and injured, performing all kinds of miracles, and teaching His beloved people. However, He invested in a small group of men, His disciples. These He gave focused time and attention to for three years. He imparted to them truth and modeled a lifestyle that they could imitate. What a blessing to take a closer look at the life of Jesus!

The Body of Christ is called to fulfill the Great Commission by spreading the good news, leading people to Christ, and making disciples. We are called to evangelism. But, Dr. Coleman wants to make it clear that Jesus' definition of evangelism is broader than our own and involves mentoring people to a place of maturity.

IF ONLY

1/16/2012

"This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me,” (Isaiah 48:17-19).

You might find yourself in trouble today, or in a difficult situation.

It just might be a trial to test your faith and reveal what you are made of.

Or, it might be spiritual warfare--a battle God wants you to fight.

I am sorry to tell you that often, when God's children are in trouble it's because they have ignored their Heavenly Father.

If only we had paid attention to the Lord's commands and plan, we would find ourselves in a different place.

We have a hard time listening to the Lord because we have our own plans and our own agenda. Sometimes we hear from the Lord and know God's plan for our lives but we run ahead of God's, wanting to do His will in our timing rather than His plan in His time.

The Secret to Financial Success

1/15/2012

The secret to financial success is quite simple! It is two little words that pack a big punch. The secret to financial success is....delayed gratification.

Delayed Gratification? What is that? Well, it means to postpone what you want, to wait for what you desire to obtain.

"All of these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were looking for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them," (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).

The writer of Hebrews is talking about Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham in these verses, explaining how delayed gratification was working in their life. He calls it faith, but it is also the practice of waiting for the desire of one's heart. We, of course, like these men of faith, desire our own heavenly city, the glorious place Jesus has prepared for us to live in forever!

But we also desire many things on this earth. We want a place to live, food to eat, and clothing to wear..and shoes, jewelry, televisions, mp3 players, minivans, vacations, movie tickets, scarves, dinners out, college tuition...you get my point. Our list of desires goes far beyond basic necessities.

God is delighted to bless us--a simple statement, but the foundation of delayed gratification. If we believe that God wants to bless us with the desires of our heart, then we can WAIT for Him to provide. Until He provides the tiem or the money to buy the item, we can wait, postponing our purchase until His perfect timing. Purchasing something with a credit card is not delaying gratification. Borrowing money from your child or parent is not delaying gratification.

15 Yard Penalty

10/25/2011

We were watching my son, Jimmy play football against the biggest 13 year-olds I have ever seen. They were giants.

I wanted to go rescue my son, take him off the field.

But these mighty Lake Mary Dolphins held their own

But there was one upsetting moment for me. One of the opposing team's players grabbed the boy running with the ball, lifted him in the air, twirled him around and around, and dropped him on the ground.

I was furious! I wanted justice.

"Horse Collar. 15 yard penalty," The ref yelled.

"Yeah!" I felt better. That rotten boy had humiliated my son's teammate, but he had been put in his place by the penalty.

Sometimes, I feel like that boy who was twirled around and dropped with a thud. Satan toys with me, tricks me, or fills my mind with lies. I feel like I am lying on the ground battered and bruised.

But, then the Lord steps up and says, "15 yard penalty, devil. Go back to where you came from. Leave my daughter alone!"

Just a reminder, spiritual warfare is not a battle of equals. Jesus won the battle 2,000 years ago on a dirty cross. He paid the price, the game is already won. We are on the winning side! Jesus has all authority in Heaven and on earth!

Next time, you feel beaten up by the devil, just remind God to give him a 15 yard penalty!

Winning the Battle with you!
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis)