Share Your Bag of Gold!

This week in our Bible study, we ended our week 4 session in a riveting discussion about loving others like Jesus. In our study, Children of the Day, by Beth Moore, we found ourselves engulfed in the "madness and gladness" of human relationships. Beth clearly painted the picture of both sides of the love coin for us: on one side, we feel the glee, harmony and excitement of mutual feelings that exist between siblings, friends, lovers and other family members. When love is reciprocated and received in a balanced way, it is most fulfilling, confident and enjoyable. These are the relationships we live for. These are the relationships we pray for.
But what about the other side of the coin? What about those relationships where it seems as if we are pouring into to someone, but they don't seem to mind not pouring into us? What about the co-worker that takes the support, but never gives it? What about the cousin who always needs a favor, but is never available to help when you need it? What about the parent that demands the most of you, but always has excuses as to why they don't need to show up for themselves? These are the relationships that, naturally, we want to avoid. We want to "shake them off", as Taylor Swift would put it. We want to ignore, retreat and, at times, reject, such situations from our lives because, as we all know, love is suppose to be positive, happy and fun, right? Wrong!

"The world thinks that Christians are push overs sometimes because we keep giving and giving. It's not always easy and Christ never said that life was suppose to be easy. Love is hard. It's not about unicorns and rainbows. It's a daily fight against our flesh to love others like Jesus"- Jessica Gray, Pearls of Hope

This was the kickstart to our discussion! What do you think about Jessica's comment? In my heart, I felt so at peace to hear her words because it's comforting to know that I am not alone in the struggle to love difficult people- or to love easy people in difficult situations. It is a fight, as Jessica said. It is a daily decision that we must make, to pick up our cross and love like Jesus! As Beth Moore so eloquently put it, "there is madness and gladness when you invest yourself in other people". There are no guarantees that people will accept you, love you, respect you or value you. There are no promises given in scripture that if you treat people kindly and show them love that they will extend it back to you in return. Yet we are still called to love, regardless, just as Jesus has loved us.
In a way, it makes me so much more thankful to my Savior, because I realize that Christ put himself in this very position. He died for the sins of all human-kind, with no guarantee that he would be accepted, valued or loved in return. Yet, he was willing to take that risk for you and me. What love!!!

During our discussion, we were also reminded of the parable of the King and the Debtor (Matthew 18:21-35). Ariel Taylor, one of our newest Pearls, did such a great job retelling this story:

A man owed a king a great debt (like thousands). He was arrested and sentenced to prison because he could not pay. But the man pleaded for his life and the king had mercy on him and forgave his debt. The next day, debt free, the man ran into an associate who owed him a few hundred dollars. Enraged that the associate did not have the money, the man grabbed his comrade by the throat and demanded instant payment. When some of his other associates saw this, they went and told the King. When the King heard this, he was disgusted and sent the man to be tortured for his evil deeds and greed.

...So... What in the world does this have to do with loving others? What does this have to do with Jesus? WE  are all the debtors. Our sins, our selfishness, our ill motives and bad habits... they have put us in spiritual debt before God. We all owe a great price for our sins, as scripture says it- "the wages of sin is death"! (Romans 6:23). Yet, with no guarantee that we would receive his free payment, Jesus came and gave his life for ours instead. His love is like a bag of gold for our souls! Our sins/our debt have been forgiven! How much more should we show compassion and love for others? How much more should we share the gold, without hesitations or requirements attached. If we want to be effective Christians, we have to learn to share what we've been given. It's not ours to keep, we've been bought with a price! (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Love is a daily fight. It has it's highs and it's lows. It has its rainbows and its storms. It can come in the form of romance or it can come in the form of friendship or family relations. Love is multifaceted, yet the commandment is not: "Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).

Let's be like Jesus and love hard, as he does! Let's show the world our bravery to love without limits, give freely and share openly the same as our Savior does for us! Let's give what we've been given!
There is gladness in the madness and the results, even if never experienced here on earth, will be worth the sacrifice in Heaven! Let's share our bag of gold with the world and love on purpose!

Live lovingly!
~Pearls

Children of the Day, by Beth Moore

I'm so excited to begin our newest Bible study, this Tuesday evening! It's called, Children of the Day, by teacher Beth Moore of Living Proof Ministries! This study is on 1&2 Thessalonians and the community of Believers in that ancient time who lived their lives in remembrance of Christ and anticipation for His return. Isn't that not a most beautiful way to live?

In our culture, we pray prayers and regard God when it is convenient, or when we want something. Celebrities cultivate sin for fame, yet feel satisfied with a brief mention of "the Man Upstairs", when rewarded for things that dishonor the Lord. Our government is so quick to remove God, yet run to churches and scriptures when we are faced with a national tragedy. Even we ourselves dismiss His leading, only to need Him when our lives begin to spin out of our illusions of control. So many people speak of God, but how many are truly LIVING for Him, on a daily, moment-to-moment basis?

This is the call for this Bible Study, not to merely mention Christ, but to acknowledge Him in every area of our lives, relying on His Spirit to perfect our hearts and navigate through the moments and mission of our lives, for the glory of God!!!

I am so excited to start on this journey with my friends and fellow sisters in the faith. I pray that we continue to learn so that we can become a blessing for those around us. I hope that any new girls that might come will feel welcomed and experience Jesus through us; but most importantly, I pray that God is pleased!

It's going to be an amazing new year for us, and we cannot wait!!!

~Pearls

Pictures Are Worth A MILLION Words!

It's been quite a journey, and who can imagine what more God has in store for us???

When we first began our Bible Study, we had no idea of what the results would be, or how the Lord would work in us, through us and use us. This process has been an incredible journey, but could not have been a success without the women who made this possible. Throughout the course of our meeting together, we have grown in grace, in love with Jesus and in our friendships with each other! We are so thankful for the journey that the Lord has lead us on, and I know I speak for everyone when I say, I couldn't have counted on as much spiritual growth with out the help, love and support of my sisters!

Pearls of Hope is a blessing to me, and I cannot wait to see how God continues to unfold his plan for us in the lives of others, for His glory!!!

Thank you Marissa Joy Kaplan for your amazing artistic eye and creativity in shooting these images for us!

marissajoyphotography.com

Majoring in the Minors

It never ceases to amaze me at the number of people who claim to be Christians, yet live out their Christianity as if it is optional. They go to church, sing songs, but will curse, lie, have unholy relationships, and still expect the presence and power of God to be available to them.

Our society is a dangerous one. In one of our early studies of Daniel, writer, Beth Moore, likened our culture with that of Babylon: a culture that consumes self and rejects any form of inconvenience. Have we gone so far in our thinking, that we have adopted this mentality within our Christianity? I believe the answer is a sad, "yes".

We tend to go to church out of obligation, not even considering or interested in getting involved more than finding a comfortable pew to sit on. We evade volunteer requests, finagle our way out of donating, hide from opportunities to extend ourselves to strangers and reject ideas or opportunities that are not "the normal church thing" to do. We are majoring in the minors!

Look at us! Where is our passion? Where is our heart? Where is our motivation to be all that God has called us to be, not for ourselves, but for His kingdom?

Before I was a believer, I did all sorts of things that I regret, yet I did them with a passion, and most of the stuff I did, I really didn't even want to do them. I partied hard until all hours of the night, even when I was tired and knew I would regret it. I dated guys that I didn't even really like, because other people expected me to or because I didn't want to disappoint a friend. I wore clothes that weren't my style, I sacrificed my studies, I paid for tickets to events that didn't interest me and I listened to music that I knew was harsh and negative and dishonoring. I made a lot of sacrifices for people, friends and culture. I was all in, even if it wasn't my "thing". And I wonder how many other countless Christians there are that have similar stories:who once would arrange their lives, schedules, agendas, friendships, interests, goals and beliefs for the sake of culture. We've all done it, without question. So why, now that we belong to a new culture- the culture of Christ- do we struggle to make sacrifices and changes? Why is it so easy to say "No" to Jesus, but so difficult to say "No" to the world?

John 15:19 tells us that we are in the world, but not of it. That we no longer belong here, but are now heavenly  citizens, in Christ Jesus. If this is the case, we must consider how we live, not like the world, but like Christ. We are no longer bound to our culture, to become like them, participate or make changes to fit in with them. Our focus should be to become like Christ, participate in His agenda and make changes for him. We are outsiders, who only fit in amongst those who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Our motivation should be to please him, no matter what it costs, no matter how it might inconvenience us, no matter how we feel. We should be willing and excited to support that which supports our Savior. So, why aren't we? Why are we still busy trying to fit in with the culture of a dying world? Something is so wrong and sad about this. How can we be effective Christians, when we are not willing to take risks, make changes and live out of our comfort zones? How can we expect to change the world for Jesus, when we continue to allow the world to change us?

Something to think about...

~Pearls

WELCOME!!!

At the moment it is very still. All the girls have left from our Tuesday night Bible Study. The laughter and conversation no longer linger in the air, and I am reminded of how sweet the silence can be. My beautiful husband lies asleep in the other room; tired and drained from his long day. My books are in the corner, waiting to be read, but instead I've decided to sit awhile and enjoy the sweet silence that comes from knowing that God's word has satisfied, once again.

Currently, we have just completed week 11 in our Daniel study, by Beth Moore. This study will mark #2 that we have completed in the past year. Now, with only one week left to go in Daniel, I find myself reflecting over the past year's journey and at God's marvelous plans and his beautiful word. I think about how far we have all come, over the past 10 months and I am thankful that we did not give up, even when odds and opinions were against us. I am so proud of my girls... my friends... my sisters in Christ!

There was a sad time in our short history as a group where we were discouraged from joining together in Bible study and prayer. We were told that we were not mature enough, that we needed training, that we were out of line. We were told that we didn't know what we were doing... and maybe we didn't. But God saw our burning hearts for more of His word. He graciously took notice, as we prayed for each other, studied His truths and shared His love with one another. He has led us a mighty long way, with still much terrain to travel! I am honored to walk alongside women such as these; women who are not afraid to ask questions and seek truths beyond "Church Lingo"... women who aren't afraid or ashamed to say, "I am hungry for more of God!" These women are amazing and I am so proud to share this journey with them.

In our current study of Daniel, we are learning that in order to live effective lives for the cause of Christ, we must live our lives out on purpose, as living sacrifices that have resolved to renounce anything that will keep us from growing a deeper relationship with Christ and from our Godly calling.

Beth Moore says, "We...can live out our lives with integrity, but we will never do it by accident". How profound is that? Everyday, we must choose to pattern our hearts and our minds after the Truth that is found only in Christ, through the Word of God! And as we grow and mature, in His love, He begins to shape us and polish us into the Pearls and into the young women He has created us to be, for His kingdom and glory's sake! (Amen)

Sitting here, in the silence, my heart is so full and thankful for what God is preparing to do, in our lives, and in yours! Allow the Lord to lead you, in whatever direction you feel He is calling you. Don't worry if you're not good enough, mature enough or properly trained. If you have a heart to know, love and serve the Lord, then you are equipped enough! Christ will do the rest, and put you on a royal display, with all the other Jewels in His Crown!

Be encouraged, my friend!

Faith, Hope and Love, 

~Pearls of Hope