How to Wear Your Cross

I was watching a tv show the other day and noticed an interesting tattoo on the forearm of one of my favorite characters. The tattoo was a sleek black cross... Only the cross was upside down. Now, I've
seen this symbol many a time before on various artifacts, including clothes, jewelry and posters, but I never truly gave it much thought until I saw it on someone of whom I considered to be talented and influential.

Immediately, I turned to trusty Google to explore the meaning of the symbol and I came across some

interesting paradoxes. The cross, in its upright position, is a symbol of the Power of God through Jesus. It is a representation of the changed life of the Christian and the gift of spiritual Salvation for
those who believe. The upside down cross is also a powerful symbol; the original meaning, also known as the Petrine cross or the inverted cross, was used (centuries ago) as a strong Christian symbol to represent love and humility; as it was purposed to honor the Apostle Perer who chose to be crucified upside down, so not to die in the same way as Jesus did. He did not deem himself worthy to be martyred in the likeness of Christ, and has been honored throughout the centuries for his humble spirit and unconventional style of death. So, according to it's original context, the upright cross represents power and the inverted cross represents love and humility. Comforting meanings aren't they?! Unfortunately, there is a counterfeit interpretation, as well.
The other meaning for the inverted cross, which I'm sure most of us are more familiar with, is its symbol with the occult and the demonic. Many horror movies incorporate the symbol to give homage to satanic powers and darkness. Atheists also identify with the symbol of the upside down cross because they interpret it as an expression of their denial of Christ and a godless belief.It's creepy, I admit. Even as I was searching for images to display on this post, I was really weirded out. The sight of some of the pictures even made me shudder!

After reading a few articles on the matter, I was left with a dramatic and impressionable thought: it is so imparitive that we conduct ourselves to the fullness of Christ, least our "symbol" - our lifestyle, be misinterpreted as something dark and contrary to what its original purpose was meant to be. Now, despite how culture chooses to interpret and reinvent symbols, beliefs and customs, the original meaning and purpose remains the same: the "N" word will always have roots in offense, no matter how much our generation may argue it. A man will always be a man, no matter how many surgeries he undertakes and a white woman will genetically always be white, despite her use of weave and tanning spray. The cross, inverted or not, is the same: it will forever represent the Power of God in Christ, through the Holy Spirit, regardless of man's attempt to reinvent it. However, the manner in which it is displayed can in fact nullify it's meaning to onlookers who are not familiar with it's origin of purpose. Those who do not know the cross are easily influenced by alternative meanings. And that is where we come in... as the carriers of Christ and as His representatives, we must take heed and precaution to be sure that on lookers see us as a symbol of God's power, love and humility, and not as a symbol of denial and godlessness.

Let me explain what I mean through some questions to consider:
Is it possible that a guy can walk away disappointed and disillusioned in someone's behavior because he initially considered someone to be a wholesome Christian woman, only to observe her engaging in compromising outfits, Facebook pictures and poor lifestyle choices? Sure, she may be a Christian, but what is the symbol of her life portraying to him?

Or, how might our co-workers' perception of Christ change if they see us praying in the break room and then gossiping in the parking lot?

What about our friends who see us as a strong Christian woman, only to one day discover that we aren't practicing what we preach- making excuses for short comings, participating in affairs that are contrary to Christ and tolerating what is contrary to scripture?

What about our families? Do they see us giving, sacrificing and loving others at church and in our communities, yet showing contempt for them within our homes?

There are so many more scenarios we could consider, but I think we all get the point. The truth is, Christians aren't perfect. We make mistakes and fall short in one area or another, every day. There will never be a 24 hour period where a Believer gets it all right. There are lies to confess, forgiveness to be granted, gossip to apologize for and schedules to be re-organized in order to make time for spending with the Lord. Thank God for His Grace and Mercy, right? Amen! Yet, despite the common "church" knowledge that no Christian is perfect, the world is looking for exactly that! They hear "Christian" and automatically, their magnifying glasses come out! We are constantly under so much scrutiny to uphold Christ in our daily lives, it seems exhausting at times! Sometimes, I just want to shout, "I AM NOT PERFECT!!!!! Stop judging me to a standard that is impossible to keep!"
Am I alone in this? Probably not. The issue however, is not in how the world perceives us, but in how we are willing (or unwilling) to purpose in our hearts to portray Christ in a manner that says, "Less of me and more of Jesus".

I think all of us have had experiences a time or two in living an inverted life- a life of compromise. In lay men's terms, hypocrite is the best definition. Like the inverted cross, our original purpose can become twisted when people see us as unauthentic and insincere. When we decide to live as "More of me and less of Jesus", we portray our cross contrary to its original purpose and the world sees that and considers that to be the true symbol.
It's easy to have the independent mindset that other people's opinions of us is not our problem or concern, but scripture teaches otherwise. In fact, according to the Bible, it should be one of our top priorities to be conscious of how our lives are depicted and perceived by those around us.
Philippians 2:3 states, "...in humility consider others above yourself". 
In her study, "Children of the Day", Beth Moore teaches that independence against the opinions of others is a sign of spiritual immaturity. The mature and effective Christan understands that her example could make or break someone's understanding, interest and acceptance of Christ. She is not willing to compromise herself because she recognizes the eternal risks that could ensue and the damage that she could cause in the lives of those who are watching her, should she slack in one spiritual area or another. In her heart and mind, she has resolved to forsake all for Christ and His calling and glory. She is not willing to compromise or display her relationship with Jesus as hypocrisy because she knows what is at stake!

Ladies, there is an entire world whose eyes are on us! We are influential in our world and in our community, weather we want to be, or not. There are people who come from faithless homes, looking to us for an example of genuine living. There are those whose hearts are broken and are searching for a true example of love and grace in our lifestyle. There are even people who don't believe, yet hope to one day, and so watch us carefully to decide if Christ is even worth their time to explore. The pressure on our lives is not to be perfect, but it is for us to point to a perfect God by the examples that we set and the lives that we live! We can claim that we represent Christ, that our goals are Godly and that our hearts are pure; but when the world sees our cross, do they see it as a symbol of the miraculous? Do they see the Petrine symbol of love and humility, like Peter, or do they see a symbol of a godless lifestyle and empty religion?

I'd like to leave you with this last scripture, also found in Philippians chapter 2:
"become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."- Philippians 2:15

The purpose of the stars is to help light up the darkness. We are called to be stars and light in this dark culture! The world around us is looking for a hope, a genuine display of who God truly is and, regardless of what they might say, they are truly hoping that you are the real deal! It's not enough to want to shine, we have to be willing and strive to shine, no matter the cost. "Less of me and more of Christ", should be our daily anthem. The world is counting on you to wear your cross as it was intended. They need to see that this symbol of a life lived in power, love and humility is not godless, after all.

Weather upright or inverted...Cary your crosses in the manner in which it was purposed!

~Pearls

The Beauty of Rejection

It's 1:56 in the morning currently and I am tossing in bed. I tried so hard to get myself back to sleep, but I keep having these thoughts...which turned into frustrations, which turned into a heartfelt prayer to the Lord... "God, today I tried to start a conversation with... It was completely awkward and it was obvious that they had no interest in talking to me. I'm tired of reaching out to that person! I don't want to do it any more... I'm done!" (Amen). lol.

I think sometimes, in our walk with Jesus, we each have the best of intentions for others who God has placed on our hearts. In our minds, we think, as long as we are kind and loving and reach out, they will reciprocate those efforts and appreciate them. But the truth is, you can't make someone love you, even if your motives are pure. Sometimes, that person who you are trying to witness to will reject you. Sometimes, it's awkward, because you try so hard to show them Jesus. Sometimes, they just plain won't be interested in what you have to offer, and that can really hurt! Part of the frustration is that when we do something for others in a genuine spirit and it is not appreciated, we feel personally

wronged and if we don't deal with those feelings of rejection or hurt (meaning if we don't forgive them) then we ourselves begin to operate in sin against God, who constantly forgives us, over and over and over again. See, when we love like Jesus, we must actually put on the heart of Jesus, who has no time frame, no criteria and not ultimatums. He is always patient with us and asks us, time and time again to love others the way He does;  regardless of the other person's actions or responses. That's how He loves us; so that is how we must love others.

Colossians 3: 12-15 states, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another...And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."

Let's break portions of this scripture down, shall we? On the surface, it seems like a sweet little advice for daily living, but it is so much deeper than that. First, we see that Paul is calling us to acquire a God-like heart and attitude of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. That in itself is a mouth full and one of the most difficult challenges of being an effective Christian, because it requires us to deny us!

Compassion, according to the dictionary, means to be concerned for the affairs of others. How easy that is when the one you extend this expression to is just as concerned for you, but what about those who don't seem to be moved by your efforts? What about that co-worker who seems too obsessed with their career to get to know you? Or that family member who always acts annoyed when you walk into the room? Showing compassion can be easy at first, because we expect it to be received well, but what happens when it's not? Do we give up (the way I really want to right now)? No! We are called, by God, to wear compassionate hearts and there are no exceptions to that request. 

Compassion is not possible without kindness and kindness puts us in vulnerable places which ushers in the need for humility and meekness. To be humble is to put someone first. To be meek is to be yielding. I for one hate to be yielding. I hate to feel as if I am being stepped on. I hate to feel as if I am being taken for granted; yet scripture demands it. 

In our natural ways of thinking, "You scratch my back and I scratch yours" makes so much sense! It's comfortable, because you know there is a guarantee that you will get something out of the deal. But this verse in Colossians expects us to expect nothing in return! As we learn to love like Jesus, we have to develop the maturity to recognize that not everyone will love us back (John 15:18), not everyone will appreciate us and not everyone will desire a relationship with us. It's just the facts. Sometimes, its intimidation: people see a strong Christian woman and compare themselves... feeling inferior because they recognize the standard to which you live by is higher than theirs. Sometimes, its envy: people will assume that you think you are better then they are because you live without compromise and so, instead of them dealing with their own sin, they reject you because you have renounced sin in your life. Sometimes, it's feelings of unworthiness: they might consider themselves not good enough to associate with you because they see Jesus in you and mistake that for perfection; and sometimes, they just plain won't like you, for no apparent reason at all. Yet, Jesus still requires us to love, anyhow.

When Christ puts someone on your heart to reach out to, realize that it is strategic for your growth and development and it is a spiritual calling. There is beauty in rejection, because it shows us the daily position that Christ allows Himself to be placed in for mankind. He willingly offered Himself to the world, knowing that some would not appreciate Him. He calls us to do the same. 

The natural question will always be: How much is too much? When is enough enough? As I write to you, I am battling theses exact same questions in my heart. "Lord, I've been dealing with this disappointment in reaching out to this person over and over again and it seems to only get worse. I give up! Please don't make me do it any more."... Yet, I know that I cannot give up; not if my goal is to please Jesus. I'm not saying it's easy... Lord knows I'm not saying it's easy! But odds are, we aren't living this Christian life because it's easy. Being a Christian is a daily struggle in so many areas at once. It is a constant battle against our own natural selves, allowing the Love of Christ and the Power of God's Holy Spirit to take over in our hearts and mold us to look like Jesus. Molding is a process and it requires lots of patience and a willing heart.

My heart is so willing!!!!!!!! Isn't yours? Even in the hurt and the frustration and the trying and the efforts and the rejection and the disappointment and the tears and the confusion and the unfairness and the humility, kindness, patience, meekness and compassion, it's my hearts desire to look like Jesus, love like Jesus and live like Jesus. I'm confident to believe that it is your heart's desire as well.

We who profess Christ do so at the risk of being rejected. But we cannot let that fear intimidate us or cause us to give up! We cannot allow ourselves to be discouraged! So, instead of praying for God to make things easier or to give us an out when it comes to loving difficult people, let's start praying that God give us more opportunities to share His love with others. Let's seek God in asking Him to give us a stronger heart that won't give up on "so and so", regardless of the hurt you may feel. In this way, we are being more like Jesus than we may realize. We will be operating with His heart towards someone who doesn't realize how much they need Him, and regardless of their response (whether they begin to come around or push you further and further away) our Heavenly Father will be so pleased and one day, we will hear Him say, "Well done".

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

It seems like an impossible burden I have towards someone whom I know you love. I've tried all I can think of to reach out to this person. I've tried to be kind and loving like you, but sometimes the rejection just seems too heavy for me. Sometimes, I just want to walk away and give up. I get tired of being kind with no response from their end. I get frustrated when my efforts aren't appreciated or received well. But Lord, I know that loving others is not about me; it's about you. Help me to love like you do. Help me to have compassion in my heart and kindness towards those You love! Help me, Lord, to seek opportunities to extend myself in hopes that my love will point them to you. Give me discernment on when to speak and when not to. Teach me to wait on your perfect timing and in the mean time, help me to stay diligent in prayer concerning others. Give me confidence and courage to continue to try. Thank you Lord for loving me and thank you Lord for teaching me to love others. I pray that you will be pleased in everything I say and in everything I do.- Amen

Love them for no reason at all. Love them because Jesus loved them first!

~Pearls

Polished

There is an aura of relaxation and self-preservation connected to the feminine experience of the Nail Salon. It's a place of comfort and refuge from a hectic day at work, or an apparatus of expectation- the middle ground between the ordinary and the fabulous. For most women, there is something pleasurably satisfying about leaving the nail salon with a  fresh mani-pedi. You walked in with dull, chipped, peeling color, only to leave with fresh, clean and shining nails. It's a wonderful feeling. It's a lot like our Spiritual process. Let me explain.

There was once a time when I used to do my own nails. Convinced that I was saving money for other things and reluctant to become dependent on someone else, I casually purchased cheap polishes that averaged around $6 dollars or so. I had an entire collection of vivid colors. I kept my nails trimmed and had cotton balls on hand. I would take my time to touch each finger tip and patiently wait for the coat to dry. The end results were pretty... but sadly, extremely temporary. There were even instances where I had to re-do my nails twice in one day or suffer the "crack-effect", due to my cheapness. So, one day, I decided to stop shopping at Walmart for my nail color. I would, instead, invest in more salon quality nail products. I began to pay the $12 dollar fee for more expensive brands and I even invested in a top coat. The laquer and upgrade in quality really made a difference! It had more of a luster in appearance, maintained it's condition for almost twice the time as the cheaper brands and it seemed to me that I was still able to hold onto my own ability to appease my appearance and control of my wallet. Although there were definitely notable positives to my nail polish upgrade, the higher quality came with some side effects. For one, the wait time for drying took much longer and since I did not have my own nail dryer, often enough I ended up waisting time and product due to reapplication of one finger or another because of smudges, scrapes and demarkations. See, the more expensive polishes require more drying time. It may have appeared to be dry on the outside, but the undercoats were often times still damp, unbeknownst to me. Another side effect was the new fumes. Cheap polish doesn't carry as heavy a smell as more salon quality polishes. It took me a while to get used to whiffs of colored chemicals, which of course was accompanied by the need to use stronger nail polish removers. These side effects obviously didn't chase me away from doing my own nails, but over time, it became a hassle.

Friends of mine would urge me to go to the salon with them. I always would insist, however, that I didn't need to. I knew how to do my own nails. I was saving my time and money... but was I really? Probably not. Considering the time alone that it took to apply, re-apply, remove and apply again due to smears and smudges, chips and cracks, I ended up waisting more money than I actually saved and Lord only know how much time it cost me! But in my mind, I was convinced that I could do it on my own. I remember the first time I stepped foot into a nail salon, I was a skeptic. I honestly had no desire to be there, but after numerous invitations, I finally accompanied my friend Kourtney one day after classes. She wanted me to join in the seat next to her, but I declined. I didn't need someone else to do for me what I thought I could do for myself. I felt self-sufficient, but I watched as she placed her hands into the palms of the lady across from her. They had friendly conversation with each other, as the women stripped away the old color and prepared her hands for the new. The women were friendly and very attentive. They helped my friend choose her color, complimented her on her selection, massaged her hands and feet, shared laughs and stories and within an hour, her nails and toes were done. I was astonished to learn that she was able to keep the same color for 2 weeks! I remember glancing down at my nails, shiny, but already cracking; but that initial visit wasn't enough for me to change my mind. Leaving that nail salon, I felt intrigued because it wasn't just about nails... it was an entire experience that my friend could look forward to. It was an opportunity to be taken care of by professionals who made a job feel like an art. She was well taken care of. I secretly became curious about what that might be like for me.

Occasionally, I would go back to the Salon with Kourt... but only to accompany her. I wouldn't order
any services for myself. Even when a lady once urged me to let her take care of me, I kindly said, "no thank you", but really, I wanted to say, "ok". It did look very relaxing and beneficial, I just wasn't willing to part with my own routine of doing things my way. I didn't need her to do something that I could do for myself; or so I thought. It was honestly years before I got desperate enough to venture into a nail salon on my own. I had finally gotten so frustrated with trying to manage myself in my own hands. My left hand was always shaky, causing my right nails to look a hot mess. Cracks seemed to magically appear, no matter how much of a top coat I would use and chips and smudges were inevitable! The moment I felt satisfied with my own work, something would smudge or I'd accidentally knock my hand on the counter and ruin my hard efforts. After a few days, the polish would chip and loose it's shine. It was a mess! I was frustrated.
The first time I went to get my nails done, I'll never forget it. It was for an interview and I wanted to feel confident. I was nervous because I didn't want to pay a ridiculous fee and I was afraid that it would be a waist of time. I was hesitant to trust a stranger to make me look good. What if she was rude and started to speak a different language around me? What if they didn't have any colors that I liked? What if they were expensive? What if, after all the time and money, my nails still chipped? I had all these doubts in my mind, but I figured I should at least give it a try; why not? As I sat in the warm leather chair and chose my services, I can honestly say, the experience delighted me so much that I regret ever taking so long to try it! the women were friendly, diligent and had loads of suggestions. The woman who helped me was very bubbly and sweet and has never forgotten my name. I've been seeing Mrs. Lee for over 2 years now. She knows all about my career, my favorite colors, my sweet marriage and my pregnancy. I know about her home life in Cambodia, all three of her children, how she and her husband started this business from nothing and we have developed some funny jokes between the two of us. Not to mention, my nails are healthy and strong and always very pristine! For years, I was missing out on such a comforting and enjoyable experience, although I didn't even know it.

Many people, convinced that they can do life by themselves, miss out on the wonderful experience of

knowing Jesus. They think that putting their trust in the Lord is a waist of time. They see their friends or family going to church and reading the Bible, they might even join in on a service every now and then or pray when they need assistance, but in their minds, they have control over their own lives and they really don't feel the need for help from God or anybody else. They might notice things here and there in their lives that aren't up to par, so in their own attempts they try to upgrade themselves, just like I tried to upgrade my polish products. For a while, it seems to do the trick for them. They might go on a non-drinking fast for a couple of weeks, no-sex for the first few dates, they might try to loose weight or try a new hobby, quite a bad habit or change their wardrobe; so many attempts for their own personal self-maintenance, but it's only temporary. On the outside, it may appear that life is good, but underneath their top coat, stuff is still wet and unfinished. Like my nails, the cracks in life eventually begin to surface. They get hit with unexpected events that cause smudges and demarkations in their plans to stay in control. No matter how hard they try and no matter how many different upgrades, changes, investments and alterations they make, it still isn't enough and they begin to question their abilities. Those who have the heart of wisdom eventually come to the understanding that they cannot change their hearts on their own; they cannot maintain the God standard in their own efforts. Others continue to wander, trying this product or that technique, never truly finding satisfaction. We all were once there and I thank God for all the spiritual Kourtneys that aren't afraid to invite us into places of love and offer us the opportunity to experience what it's like to put our lives in the hands of someone who is more capable of governing us than we are.

In our own efforts, we think we are saving ourselves; but truly, we are just waisting time. Going round and round in circles of our own efforts, our control, our abilities and our way only leads to a life lacking in luster and full of chipped frustration. But when we allow ourselves to trust in the Lord, place our faith in His suggestions for our lives, rest ourselves in His ability to color our hearts with His love and relax in the joy of the experience of Salvation, well... that's when we really start to shine!

Ephesians 2:8 tells us that Salvation (being accepted by God) will never happen in our own efforts. Instead, God invites us to come to Him, through Jesus, to experience His love and life changing power that we can never attain on our own. It is a gift, a treasure, a permanent establishment of His presence and His perfection in our lives. No, we will never be perfect. The smudges of our past might always grip our minds, but in Jesus, they don't have the power to grip our lives. He asks us for our chipped hearts and smudged up lives, in exchange for his permanent radiance and eternal coat of glory! Christ calls to each of us, saying:
 "Come, take a seat. Give me your hands...give me your heart...give me your life. I have big plans for you! I have desires to make you shine and radiate in this world and in the next! You don't have to live in frustration any more. I know you are trying to improve yourself. I know you are afraid of letting go of control. You think you have found a short cut, but it only has you running in circles. Let me message your messes out of your life. Let me wash you with the water of my word. Let me give you a new life, one that will not fade away or loose its shine over ime. Let me coat you with my joy, my peace, my confidence and my hope. Let me laugh with you and share my heart with you. I have much to offer you that you could never acquire on your own. Trust me. Give me your hands...give me your heart...give me your life."


He wants so much more than to just change your exterior or the color of your experiences; He wants to change your life and polish your heart! He wants to establish a beauty within you that will not fade or peel away. Will you let Him? I pray that you do! I pray that we all will one day fully understand and experience how Salvation can polish our lives and radiate our existence with the eternal luster that only comes from knowing Jesus!

Trust Him with your hands...with your heart and with your life! I promise, you will not be disappointed.
~Pearls

4 Ways to Know That It's From God!

As of late, the girls and I have been leveling in discussions centered around prayer. Yes, we pray together and individually... we've even covered the topic in a 7 week study last year. But regardless of your confidence, familiarity or consistent practice of prayer, it will always hold some element of mystery because it is one of the only purely spiritual concepts that God has given us access to. Prayer is not a topic one can study too much of. No one can master it, because it is not man made or man-willed. No one can explain it, because it is solely and directly operated by the Holy Spirit. Even the disciples were perplexed on the matter, asking Jesus, "how should we pray?" (Luke 11:1). These men spent time with Jesus, listened to his teachings and had direct access to ask of him any question they wished, yet still they struggled in the matter of prayer. The Bible also tells us that sometimes we do not know what to pray for, so in those cases, the Spirit will lead us and take over for us (Romans 8: 26-27) and we are told to ask of the Lord boldly (Hebrews 4:16) and in confidence in the name of Jesus (John 16:24).

But what happens when you pray for things and concerns, hopes and directions, and are actually given them and not sure what to do? What happens if what you pray for comes to pass but instead of peace, you wrestle with confusion? What happens if you are not ready or don't know which way to turn? This was a question posed by one of our Pearls just last week:
"I've prayed for so long to get accepted into school and for marriage. Now my boyfriend and I are seriously talking about getting married and I am almost done with my education. I feel overwhelmed. I know that I prayed for this, but now that it's here, I feel very unprepared".

How many times have we all had the feeling of being overwhelmed or unprepared? I know I have, constantly...even currently! We all have gone through areas of life's terrain with seemingly blind faith,  no discernment and no real confidence and even hints of confusion; each of which does not come from God. How many times do we ALL experience this- both in the negative and in the positive? I'm not saying that my friend (or any of us, for that matter) should dismiss opportunities because we feel unprepared or overwhelmed; many times that's where true and concentrated faith must step into place. But we need to examine everything to be sure that we are walking in God's will, before we endeavor in opportunities or what we might consider to be an answered prayer. Scripture tells us that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33),  yet how many times have we found ourselves in what appears to be a very positive opportunity, only to teeter regarding weather to accept it or not? I mean, if it's a good thing, doesn't that automatically make it a blessing from God? If it is able to make me happy, shouldn't that be the choice I make? Shouldn't I follow my heart and do what I think is best for me? If I prayed about it and it happens, isn't that proof that it came from God?
These questions, and others like them, I'm sure, are all thoughts we've pondered at some point in our lives. To us, it makes sense, but is that what scripture says? Actually, no. Scripture teaches the exact opposite. Instead of looking inward, we must look outward. When we consider how to be sure that a seemingly answered prayer is God ordained, let's ponder 4 things: 1) Will this opportunity give glory to God? 2) Does this opportunity Benefit others or just myself? 3) Will this opportunity build my character and faith in the Lord? and 4) Is this opportunity uncompromising with scripture?

When we receive from God, it is God that should be getting the glory. Not ourselves. It is His will that should be our main concern, to please Him and not us. 1 Peter 4:2 tells us to live our lives for the will of God. It may seem unfair to us, but remember, as His ambassadors and as His lights in the world, our joy is to shine for Him! In this way, others will notice His goodness in our lives and seek Him for themselves. That is the whole point! The Lord has chosen you and I to show Himself off! WE are his trophies. But if we become our own trophies, seeking our own glory, then we are in error of idolatry and of robbing God. "But I'm not seeking my own glory", you might insist. Well great! Let's be sure that we know what glory really means. Webster states that glory is to "be in high regard, honor, noticed, to receive attention for one's actions; distinctive; to receive notoriety". Are there any opportunities we've seized in order to acquire any such things for ourselves? I'll be the first to confess, "yes". There have been opportunities that have come my way which I've responded to as, "wait till "they" see this" or "this will definitely make me stand out". Am I alone? Did I just completely expose the nature of my true intentions at times... yes, I did. To be honest, we all have...we're human. But when we are asking of God, it must be to give HIM ALL these things. Sometimes, a good opportunity could be just as distracting and dangerous as a bad one, if the results take away from God in an effort (known or unknown) to add attention to our selves.

If we can positively say, "I know that this opportunity will allow me to give glory back to God", then that is wonderful. But don't go racing towards that opportunity just yet; let's examine who it will help. Now, not to discourage  any of us, but we have to be so sure that our requests are with pure motives; meaning that they are not for selfish gain. James 4:3 calls it "asking amiss...for your own pleasures". When we ask, we ought not do so for our own personal benefit, only. Instead, we must be in search of how our prayers can allow us to be effective in God's kingdom. For example, I shouldn't run myself into debt and then ask God for a new job, knowing that I only want more money to acquire more things. Or, I should not see someone's new car and become jealous and ask the Lord to bless me in the same manner. It's immature to ask God for marriage so that I can sport a wedding ring and guilt-free sex and if my intentions for entrepreneurship are to collect my own riches without thought to those in need, well then I am praying amiss. Philippians 2:3 tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition, but to value and consider others above ourselves. There is nothing wrong with going after things that will add to your life; but when your life becomes your main concern- when sharing, giving back, reaching out and extending assistance to others becomes a foreign concept in your attempts for opportunity, then that is a red flag and a warning that we are out of God's will. Regardless, however, if we are honest, we can look back and admit that there are moments when our intentions are self-centered, yet God allows us to have access to these opportunities any way. Is this because He is not concerned about our selfishness? Not at all. Many times, it is an opportunity to expose our true hearts to ourselves. He already knows what's inside of us. Often times, we are the ones who have no clue about the silent intentions that we privately cary (Jeremiah 17:9). If you find yourself being the only one who benefits from your opportunities and prayers, begin to ask God to show you how you can share your blessings and opportunities with others who may benefit more than you.

The third thing to considered when receiving opportunities or what might seem like an answer to prayer, is whether or not it will impact our growth and spiritual walk with Christ. In every area of our lives in Christ, we should be growing... not stabilizing, not maintaining and definitely not regressing. We should be moving forward in Christ, through our character and our faith. Every challenge, blessing and opportunity should contribute to growth in Christ. If we are not growing, then we are being hindered and hindrances in Christ never comes from God. We must operate with maturity in recognizing that not all hindrances come in the form of negative experiences. There are some seemingly good things that can hinder us in Christ! Examples of positive hindrances could include a new promotion at work that provides extra money, but requires us to sacrifice attending worship services or Bible study; a new boyfriend who distracts you from your involvement in Christ-centered things; even a simple TV show  or movie that demonstrates un-Christ-like behaviors as if it is permissible or cute. These examples and many more take away from our growth and if we are not growing, then we most definitely aren't pleasing God. He will never approve of anything that will take our attention off of Him and sabotage the good work He is desiring to complete in us! 1 Corinthians 14: 26 tells us to only do those things that will build up our faith and character. Examples of such include attending church and Bible studies regularly, connecting ourselves in Christ-focused friendships, studying scripture and encouraging others, reaching out to those in need, looking for ways to show love and simply just shining our lights. These build our faith. These do not take away from Christ or his plan in our lives. Any seemingly positive thing that might hinder faith and growth is something to be completely avoided, that is in fact if we have resolved in our hearts to live for Jesus.

The last to consider when taking or not taking advantage of opportunities that might come our way is whether or not it is supported by scripture. Now, here is where it can sometimes seem tricky. What if the Bible doesn't say anything about a new car or social media or college or in-laws or house hunting or job promotions? What if what you are going through is not mentioned in the Bible? Well, it may not be mentioned verbatim, but trust me... it IS in the Bible. The Bible is so practical and full of every solution you could ever possibly encounter. From relationships, to business arrangements, farming and agriculture, philosophy, anthropology, philanthropy, finances, sex... you name it, it's in there! But the key is to actually read it. You cannot say, "the Bible doesn't explain this or that", if you've never attempted to find it. It's unfair to say, "the Bible was written in olden days. It isn't modern. It can't help me". Well, even in the olden days, people lived, studied, worked, got married, made babies, started businesses, went to court, threw parties, had break ups, had arguments, got arrested, created fashion, made investments, buried loved ones and received promotions . There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Scripture is the one solid source for every human experience because it was written by the One who created humans in the first place. If you have a concern about what God wants you to do regarding an opportunity or a prayer request that you feel is being answered, go to His word! He will never tell you one thing in scripture and then contradict Himself in your life. His will is His word and His word is His will! It will not steer you wrong. What's amazing about our generation is that you don't even have to be a Bible scholar to investigate God's word or inquire of His will! You can use the good-ole internet... how convenient! If you're one who doesn't know the difference between Genesis and Revelations, use Bible search engines like Biblehub.net or Biblegateway.com. You can type in any topic and they will automatically provide you with multiple scriptures to help you navigate your choices! We are without excuse. Media makes it possible to be in God's word, even when a Bible is not near by. As you spend time in God's word, He will begin to illuminate Himself to you, giving you confidence and faith in Him. Scripture will always eliminate doubt and confusion. It is the one stop shop for any answers you could ever have. After reading God's word, close out in prayer- asking Him to help you apply it to your life. I promise, you will see a big change if you stay consistent.

In our walks with Jesus, we are constantly called to make decisions for Christ: to love him through obedience or to reject him through our efforts of self-gratification. I wish so desperately that there was middle ground, but scripture tells us that there is not (Matthew 6:24). In our prayer lives, we have to be sure that we are aligning our requests with God's word, to assure us that we are in His will and that our prayers are pleasing to Him. We may not always receive the "yes" that we hope for, but we are guaranteed an answer that we will not be confused by. If you are feeling overwhelmed by circumstances that you have prayed for, seek the Lord to determine if in fact it is His will or if it was just a timely opportunity that you accepted due to your personal agenda. There is no need to feel ashamed. We are human and we have the habit of eagerly swinging the door open when opportunity comes knocking. But just because it seems beneficial doesn't not mean that it is God's ordained purpose for your life. In everything, we must seek Him first, before we take a step to the right or to the left. If you struggle with confusion over a choice or what seems to be a blessing, be assured that our God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Regardless of how appealing it may seem, consider if it is: 1) Glorifying God, 2)Beneficial to others and not just yourself, 3) a true opportunity to build your character and faith, and lastly 4) Uncompromising with scripture. If you cannot say yes to all 4 of these check points, then I suggest getting back on your knees and seeking the Lord. I promise, it is His joy to make His will clear to us! He will not steer you wrong and you will have a peace in your heart...without any confusion or doubts regarding answered prayer!


Seek the Lord in ALL things!
~Pearls

Our OFFICIAL VIDEO, Summer 2015

Good Morning Loves!

Can you believe it's August, already??? With this being the last full month of summer, I was compelled to look over and be thankful for all the wonderful things God has done for us this season! We've welcomed 2 new Pearls, served others with grateful hearts, memorized five amazing scriptures, accomplished some pretty unbelievable goals and had an amazing time doing it!

God is good! Let me say it again... GOD IS GOOD!!! His love for us continues to overflow in each of our hearts, and our pray is that you are experiencing the same growth in your own life. Whether you are a new sister in Christ or you have an established relationship in the Lord, remember that you are not alone! There are so many people in the body of Christ who are routing for you. They want the absolute best for you and have been placed in your life to encourage you, love you and celebrate with you! If you feel as if  you don't have a place, ask God to bring people into your life. He will not hesitate to do so, I promise.

There was a time when I felt as if I was all alone in my Journey with Jesus. But as I look back over these last 2 and a half years, I see that God was leading my steps towards this moment, all along. I am so thankful for my Pearls! They my Sisters, my friends and my heart! They have become so much more than just a group to spend my free time with. They are central to my life, my everyday and my success in the Lord! I can't wait for them to see this video! I can't wait to be with them again! But mostly, I can't wait to see what more God is going to do in them, through them and for them! They are women of faith and women of perseverance and encouragement. I pray that everything we do and everything we attempt and portray will be a shining encouragement for you, as well! 

Shine bright, my loves!

~Pearls

Pearls of Hope would like to thank iGRAPHICS for their assistance in this project! (www.iGraphics.com)