Life as a Christian Woman

Christians often talk about being “under attack” from non-Christians and those who would like to stop our message of Christ’s redemption. But we are also under attack from the head of the opposition, Satan.

Yes, lest you think that you are too small to matter to the Big Guy Down Below, if you are a Christian, he knows your name and has you on his radar. And the closer you become to God, the more you can expect to have the Great Deceiver knock-knock-knocking in your head, trying to plant seeds of doubt.

We usually look for attacks that come from the outside. But Satan is at his most devious when he is at work inside of our heads. He can make us doubt our faith, doubt our God. Remember when he tempted Jesus?

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:
” ‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:1-13

The most interesting verse to me is the last. “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”

And that is exactly what Satan will do with us. He waits until the right time comes, when the opportunity presents itself to create doubt, perhaps anger toward God. He sees a crisis arise in our lives, and he jumps right in..

“How could your God allow this to happen?” he whispers. “If you were mine, I would give you everything that you want.”

Our spirit breaks, we fall into depression and sadness, anger and denial. Satan persists.

“Deny your God. What is He doing for you?” Satan prods us away from God and into an eternity of death.

There are no easy answers when your spirit is under attack. Prayer, discernment and focus, keeping your eyes on God no matter the path, this is the only answer. Easier said that done, when one is mired in sickness and hurt.

This may be our greatest test as Christians, remaining focused when all around us is falling apart. But we can do it. How? Because no matter what we go through, what pit we feel mired in, nothing compares to what Jesus went through on our behalf. He faced death, walked through hell, and returned to us in love.

My motto? Don’t tell God how big your storm is… tell your storm how big your God is!

DAYS OF ELIJAH

Words and Music by Robin Mark

These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

There’s no God like Jehovah.
There’s no God like Jehovah!

Click here to listen to Twila Paris singing Days of Elijah on YouTube.com

What a song! The first time I heard Days of Elijah, I got chills. The verses, all referencing Old Testament prophecy, were so Biblical in nature that it felt like I had just sung my way through a Bible study. The first verse speaks to the times of great trial, challenges all around. And yet, the verse goes on, we are the voice in the midst of all the pain, all the trials, reminding the world that our Lord is coming… Prepare!

The second verse speaks on rebuilding the temple, the coming harvest of souls, and declares that we are the workers, the labourers for God, declaring his word.

How humbling and exhilarating! We are here, working toward our God, serving Him in the fields. The grunt work, some would say.

But then comes the chorus… Behold He comes.

Enough said!

Imagine looking to the skies and seeing our Lord and Saviour, our Christ, emerging through the clouds, trumpets blaring, the heavenly chorus singing. Our salvation arrives.

My favorite songs often reference heaven, Christ’s return. I can’t imagine being in the middle of my day, hearing trumpets, looking up and seeing my Saviour coming for me… ME!

These are trying times. Foreclosures, banks going belly up, employment rises along with gas prices. But what a wonderful future we are guaranteed! How can we be broken when the Great Physician is one prayer away? Earthly worries will fall away, and we will be with our Father for eternity.

There is no God like Jehovah!

O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.
Don’t let those who trust in you stumble because of me,
O Sovereign Lord Almighty.
Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.
Psalm 69:6

We have talked in the past about stumbling blocks that keep us from our full purpose with God. Things like ego, business and focus can all get in our way. But have you ever thought about whether you are a stumbling block to another Christian’s path?

Is gossip a part of your life? Have you ever talked about a fellow brother or sister in Christ? Not only is that a sin, you are bringing others into your sin by gossiping about another person. And that makes you a stumbling block to others.

Have you ever given someone a pass, rather than encourage them? For instance, if someone says that they have no time for Bible study, rather than agree and say that it is ok, shouldn’t you encourage them to find the time? Not chastise or demean, but encourage through love?

Have you ever made fun of someone else because of appearance or something they did? This is such a cruel thing to do, and yet, frankly, we all stand accused of it. It is so much easier to laugh with the group, or belittle someone, than to stand up to the group. The high road is so much harder to attain!

It’s not easy, trying to be a positive influence rather than a stumbling block to someone else’s faith. Hang in there!

I have a friend who just can’t stop. She goes 900 miles an hour from the minute she gets up until she collapses in sleep.

The other day she commented that she has a gap of time between when she drops her children off at school and another appointment. The gap is too short to get anything done, and she feels lost.

“Not me,” I chimed.

I love those little breaks in the day. I have a couple of “secret” places around town where I can park my car, put my seat back and take a break with God. Whether it’s five minutes or an hour, I have a Bible in the car and use the time to my advantage. Sometimes I just sit and talk to God, other times I immerse myself in study. But the common thread is that I stop, with no noise, no outside interference.

“Oh, I could never do that,” my friend said. “I have to be doing something.”

But does she, or any of us, really have to? Why do we feel like each minute of each day has to be filled accomplishing something. Isn’t spending time with God accomplishing something larger than any shopping trip could?

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth.”   Psalm 46:10

Be still. Stop. Know God. Acknowledge Him. He is to be exalted. Praise Him!

I believe that one of the greatest experiences a Christian can have is to enter into God’s presence. Can you believe that our God, Lord of all, Creator of everything, the Alpha and Omega, allows us to talk to Him? Us! And yet, we are so busy filling our lives with junk that we miss those opportunities, we push our quiet time with Him to the back.

If I had a nickel for every time I have said, “I’ll pray when I get in bed tonight,” and then fell asleep almost as soon as I started that prayer, I would be one rich woman!

Stop… enter into His presence… And celebrate a God who wants to talk with you!

He went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8

I love the book of Hebrews. So much of it deals with living a life based on faith. As Christians walking in faith, we may not know where we are headed, what plans God has for us. But we do know that living a life of faith means loving and being loved by God. It means trusting Him. Faith is not based on understanding and reasoning, it is based in the knowledge of Him, the one who leads us, loves us, and will not fail us.

The phrase “Stepping out in faith” has always fascinated me. As a child, I imagined someone stepping out into a vast abyss, fearless. As an adult, I grew to understand that, while the phrase may not literally mean “stepping” out into nothingness, it means trusting God will all aspects of your life.

And it most definitely does not mean that we are fearless! In fact, we wouldn’t be our human selves if we didn’t have fear.

Living a life of faith is not a constant celebration of reaching for the clouds. It is not one “mountaintop experience” after another. No, faith is rooted in the mundane, daily movements of life. A life of faith must be lived with consistency. You can’t trust God with one portion of your life and omit Him from another. You must learn to come to Him and trust Him in all areas, no matter how small or insignificant they may appear to you.

And a life of faith can only be rooted in prayer. Prayer is our lifeline to God, our “open 24 hours a day” confessional and advice hotline. When we commune with God through prayer, we are building our faith at the same time.

As we come to know Him better, we will be better able to lean on Him, understand His love for us, and rely on our faith in Him.

TRANSFORM: 1) to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.  2) to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.    From Dictionary.com

A popular movie is called “Transformers.” There is also a very popular line of toys, based on the comic books and movie. The premise is that the items change into different shapes, from cars to robots.

In everyday life, we are always trying to transform our own lives. Whether we are trying to lose weight, quit smoking, or study hard to learn something new, it seems like life is one search to transform ourselves after another.

But while many of these transformations may improve our life in the short-term, or make us happy briefly, only one transformation is permanent and life-altering. A life transformed by God is a life changed forever, for eternity. And a life transformed by God shines to all others.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.  Acts 4:13

The Holy Spirit took the disciples and transformed them from their simple ways. Some were uneducated. Others were poor speakers or from parts of society that engendered fear, such as tax collectors.  Hardly the material on which to build a kingdom. But never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit! They were gifted with boldness and knowledge, as well as discernment and wisdom. Even the enemies of the followers of Christ noticed the change in these men.

Don’t focus on the small changes you may, or may not, notice in yourself. Instead, allow your daily walk with Jesus to shine. The changes taking place in you daily will be noticed by those around you, and will serve as a witness to the powerful transformation that has occurred in you.

When you read the above title, you probably start thinking about all the different versions of the Bible that you can buy at your local bookstore:

• King James
• New King James
• 21st Century King James Version
• New International Version
• New American Standard
• Amplified Bible
• New Living Translation
• American Standard Version
• New Life Version
• The Message
• English Standard Version
• Contemporary English Version
• New Century Version
• Young’s Literal Translation
• Darby Translation
• Holman Christian Standard Bible
• New International Reader’s Version
• Wycliffe New Testament
• Worldwide English New Testament
• Today’s New Internation Version

I could go on and on (and on and on!). The 20 versions I have listed are but a few available according to BibleGateway.com.

But while we may have dozens of interpretations to choose from, and the Bible continues to be the most translated book in the world, there are millions of people who have no translation of the Bible in their own language.

As of 2005, at least one book of the Bible has been translated into 2,400 of the 6,900 languages, including 680 languages in Africa, 590 in Asia, 420 in Oceania, 420 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 210 in Europe, and 75 in North America. The United Bible Societies are presently assisting in over 600 Bible translation projects.

Today my daughter brought home a newsletter from school, a magazine called God’s World News Early Edition, specifically written for younger children. As I thumbed through it, I found an article regarding the people of Jamaica. Most Jamaicans speak a language called patois (PA twa). And while many are Christians, none have ever been able to read a Bible in their language. According to the article:

The Reverend Courtney Stewart says that many Jamaican people have never read the Bible. He has hired people to translate it into patois. He wants all Jamaicans to hear God’s good news.

We may think that it is only in the deepest, darkest corners of the world that people don’t have the ability to put their hands on a Bible, but the reality is that this little island nation, where many Americans vacation, most don’t have access to a Bible in their native language.

There are many groups in the process of translating the Bible for different world populations. Pray for them. Pray that their mission will proceed with haste, that all may know the glory of our God!

Trust & Obey

Words by John H. Sammis, 1887

Music by Daniel B. Towner, 1887

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends. we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.

There is no greater feeling than knowing you are following the will of God. Nothing can compete with that, no job, no ballgame, no experience in life. We are called to “Trust and Obey.”

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11-12

We are blessed to have a God who recognizes our work on His behalf. And we have a God who will never send us on a task we cannot complete, and will not commission us for a job without first ensuring our success. He does not, however, assure victory. There is a difference between success and victory.

Think of the Olympics that just ended. Was the athlete who finished last any less successful than the athlete who took home the gold? No! While the athlete may not have attained victory, he or she was no less successful in achieving the goal of competing.

The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. Deuteronomy 28:7

As the song says, “But we never can prove the delights of His love, until all on the altar we lay.” God’s favor is for those who follow Him, who obey Him, who trust Him. God will never betray your trust in Him. Never. Our God is a faithful God.

Trust and obey, for there is truly no other way.

Ah, wouldn’t it be wonderful if when you became a Christian, accepting Christ into your life, the hard part was over? What if you could just sit back and wait for Heaven?

But that is not the way God has intended thing for us. In fact, one of the paradoxes of life as a believer is that once you begin your walk with God, the work is just beginning! God’s gifts to us require labor on our part.

Look, the Lord you God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged. Deuteronomy 1:21

When God told the Israelites He was going to “give” them the Promised Land, they were pumped. What a great gift! But with that gift came wars to achieve their goal. While they may have assumed that God was going to fight the battles for them, the reality was that they had to fight for it.

But they weren’t alone or unarmed. God was with them, leading them. They had to fight the battle, earn the victory, but with God by their side, victory was assured… as long as they followed Him.

When we become Christians, we must continue the work of growing in Him. God could give us the knowledge, the unabashed desire to spend hours in prayer and fearlessly present the Gospel. But instead He chose to have us work hard, to daily prove our love for Him and our desire to be with Him fully.

The path won’t be easy, the world will attempt to crowd out God in your mind. But He is there with you.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

From the moment we are born, our progress is measured in so many different ways. We are weighed and measured in our first moments of life, and many parents keep a running tab on how much we have grown with a “growth chart” hanging on the wall. As children, when we visit the doctor, we are weighed and measured once again, and our statistics put on a curve, or percentile, seeing how we stack up against other kids our age. Once we reach school, we receive grades to show our progress (or lack of!). When we enter the work force, our job performance receives regular evaluation.

But often we don’t keep tabs on our spiritual growth and maturity. When we are first baptized, we are babies, immature Christians. Unfortunately, many Christians stop at this level, reducing their Christian experience to one hour a week on Sundays. But we are called to study and grow. It is the obligation of every believer to strive for this growth, this spiritual maturity.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. Hebrews 6:1-3

Once we have accepted Christ, we are charged with moving beyond the basics, moving in the direction of deeper knowledge and growth. Even our Lord, as the Son of God, studies the scriptures. Only through knowledge can we train ourselves, preparing ourselves in the battles that we must face, and to speak wisely and informed to non-Christians in our goal to bring them into the Kingdom of God.

When we are new believers, we battle the demons of evil. But the longer we walk with the Lord, the more we should be able to relate to others as Christ did. We will be conformed to His image, but this does not magically happen. While we are “Buried with Him in baptism, risen to walk in newness of life,” the work has just begun!

Take time to evaluate your own spiritual maturity, and look for areas where you need growth, whether through study, prayer, communion with other Christians, or wherever else God may lead you.

Those of us of a certain “age” remember the phrase “If it feels good, do it.” That mantra from the 1960’s was intended to wipe away guilt and remorse.

That is an easy lifestyle to follow it. If it feels good, it must be ok, right? But as Christians, what is right doesn’t always feel good. God nudges us, prods and pokes us, until we follow His will. As we have read before, guilt is actually a gift from God! He uses it to keep our eyes focused on Him, and to lead us back to Him when we have strayed.

But while what God wants may not always feel good, it will always feel right. Remember the blog the other day about Beth Moore, when she was called in the middle of an airport to brush a man’s hair (click here to read)? Bet that didn’t feel one bit good at first, but it felt right, because it was right. And in the end, as she rested in God’s grace, it felt good and satisfying, in a way that we can only feel when we are in God’s will.

As a friend said to me the other day, “When you obey God, it may not always feel good, but it will always feel right.”

Somehow, that feels best of all!

Stagnant: not growing or changing; without force or vitality.

Stagnant water is not a pretty site. Often covered with mold or algae, you can usually smell it before you see it. Often it turns into a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other varmints. Many times people that have a small pond in their yard will put a floating fountain in it, to keep the water moving and fresh.

Stagnancy is something to be avoided in our Christian walk. So often when a person becomes a new Christian, they enter with excitement and the desire to learn and grow. But over time, life gets in the way. Bible study starts to seem humdrum at best, perhaps even boring. With all the “extra-curriculars” that life has, it is hard to set aside a time for growth in our spiritual walk.

But without that time, without that growth, we become stagnant, dull. The Holy Spirit is unable to do his work in us if we are not prepared for him. And to prepare, we must spend time in the word. We must seek out other Christians who can have a role in our growth, who challenge us to rise above the day-to-day to serve our Lord.

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10

When I was in school, I hated to study. Hated it. My parents forced me, and I made my way through high school thinking I knew best but doing what they told me. When I hit college, parental supervision of my study habits was gone… and so was my studying. Then grades came out. Let’s just say I was definitely “stagnant!” After one semester on academic probation, I learned my lesson.

It’s the same lesson God wants us to learn (without having to go on probation!). We have to study, to do the work, and in that way we can grow closer to Him. It is His open invitation to us, to join Him.

That’s an invitation worth answering!

A friend of mine, “Lara,” told me recently about a dilemma she was having. A friend of hers had given her a book to read. Lara and her family had been going through some stressful events, and her friend thought the book could help.

“This book changed my life,” she told her, “and it can change yours. Oprah raves about it!” The problem was, the book goes against everything Lara, as a Christian, believes. And she doesn’t know how to approach her friend, who is also a Christian, and tell her why the book is, in her words, dangerous.

The book is called The Secret, by Australian television producer Rhonda Byrne. To paraphrase the entire book into one sentence: “If you believe it, you can achieve it.”

While that sounds like a throw-away statement, it becomes dangerous when put into practice. Byrne writes that all you have to do is “put in your order” with the universe. You want it? You got it!

The entire premise of this book is that we are “magnets”, and we attract what we think about. If we think positive thoughts, if we focus on what we want and believe it will occur, it will. Get this… if you go on the book’s website, you can print out a blank check from the “Bank of the Universe,” fill in any amount, and believe that you will see that money in your account in no time at all.

But the book doesn’t end there. It isn’t all sunshine and roses, oh no. “The Secret” has an explanation for all the bad in the world, as well.

“Imperfect thoughts are the cause of humanity’s ills,” according to the book. Look at that statement. It’s stunning in it’s declaration. And Byrne goes further:

On poverty: “The only reason any person does not have enough money is because they are blocking money from coming to them with their thoughts.” Ah, it is so simple! Poverty is now gone, poof!

On sickness: “You cannot ‘catch’ anything unless you think you can… You are also inviting illness if you are listening to people talking about their illness.” So if your friend is ill and needs you to be there for her? Forget it! She’s on her own, you don’t want to “attract” illness!

Bob Proctor, author of “You Were Born Rich,” is quoted repeatedly in the book as an expert on this topic. He appeared on ABC’s Nightline in 2007, and was asked if the children of Darfur, starving and homeless, had “manifested” their own misery, had they brought it on themselves. He replied, in all seriousness, “I think the country probably has.”

Enough.

We have to be so careful. It is so very easy to get caught up in the “self-help flavor of the month.” If Oprah says it, it must be right!

But theology and faith should never be based on Oprah, or self-help books. We have to spend time in God’s word and in prayer. Our outlook has to bypass earthly views and focus on God and His views, His rules for our life. We don’t need to visualize to manifest our destiny. Our destiny is sealed when we accept Christ into our heart. And when we need direction, we can go straight to our Father in prayer, and He will lead us, in His own time.

So put the self-help books back on the shelf. Open your Bible. There it is… the “real” secret!

Reggie White leading prayer after the 1997 Super Bowl

As I have stated before, I am a huge football fan. Any sport will do, but football is my special passion.

Many of you who have attended games may have noticed players from both teams gathering at the center of the field after the game, bowing their heads and praying. The post-game prayer, uniting two teams that have been bashing each other for three hours, is a kind of “reality check” to the game. When I am most upset about a loss in a big game… and I can get really upset… I try to remember to look out at the field and see the players that come together, and that puts my head back in the real world.

As I was watching games today on TV, and saw players huddle up in prayer afterwards (it isn’t mandatory, only the players that want to kneel at the 50 yard line), I wanted to know more about how this tradition started.

It began in 1990 when eight members of the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers knelt to thank God after a game. Pat Richie, the San Francisco 49ers chaplain, came up with the idea. His goal was to have the players acknowledge themselves before God, to come together as one after the game.

These informal gatherings for postgame prayers have no official name, leader, or roster. Yet over the years, their influence has spread internationally.

Brent Jones, a member of the 49ers and one of the original “prayers” saw players begin Bible study and talk more openly about their faith. Suddenly, it was ok to be open and be a Christian in the locker room.

Imagine that!

Now, lest you think that it was all rose petals for these men, be assured it wasn’t. They were taken to task by national magazines (former Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly called it “offensive”). The NFL decided to try to force the 1981 Anti-Fraternization Rule (players from opposing teams can’t “fraternize” on the field of play). Christian players felt targeted when the NFL said it would fine team owners $25,000 for each post-game prayer. But it never happened.

Then, when the Green Bay Packers made the Super Bowl in 1997, the issue resurfaced. The late Reggie White, an All-Pro defensive end with the Packers, was a preacher and outspoken Christian. The NFL passed the word down that it didn’t want the post-game prayer to happen, it would interfere with the post-game awards.

Reggie’s answer? “Reggie said the NFL couldn’t dictate to him what he did after a game or who he prayed with,” Miami Herald pro football writer Armando Salguero reported. “It became a non-issue.”

Reggie White was a friend of mine. I am proud to say that I knew him, and I know he lived his faith. I chuckle to myself at thought of anyone trying to stop that 6′5″, 300 lb. athlete from praying.

The post-game prayer started in the NFL has moved into the college and high school ranks. It’s everywhere. The next time you go to a game, look toward midfield after the final buzzer. And say a little prayer in the stands.

Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like that to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity

- Words by John Fawcett
- Music by Wendall Kimbrough

This is one of my favorite hymns. The first verse is a common one sung in churches around the world. In many instances, it is the final song before dismissal, reminding us of our common ground before we exit to the “real world.” It celebrates our unity in Christ, that despite our differences, we are all one in Him. Our hearts are bound in His love, as one.

Most are not as familiar with the rest of the song, but each verse continues with the theme of celebrating our oneness in God. In fact, as you follow the verses, we see the trail of life:

1. We are all united in God’s love.

2. We all pray to God, we share the same fears and worries, as well as the same goals.

3. We care for each other, we carry each other’s burdens. We hurt when our brothers and sisters hurt.

4. When we are separated by death, those left behind hurt. But we rest in the knowledge that we will be joined together for eternity.

5. We live in expectation of the day we will see God, we will enter Heaven.

6. At last, we will be set free from earthly torments and pain, to live in His holy place.

This is a song of unity, of sharing, caring, and love. Our God is not a God of divisiveness, or of hate and separation. Our God does not discriminate. He loves all of His children, no matter their race, color, nationality, or denomination.

We are to be united in love. His grace has set us free! No one group has the monopoly, and no one group should look down on another. We should celebrate our God and His infinite love, which we do not deserve, and yet which He freely gives us, through the blood of His own son.

Remember, “Blessed be the tie that binds” and act accordingly. Because the tie that binds is our Lord and Saviour.

To listen and watch Blessed Be The Tie That Binds, click HERE