~ What is a Christian? ~

I wanted to discuss this topic, what is a Christian, because lately I've noticed how much criticism people throw on Christians. And although most of the ones who are throwing stones are far from the way I perceive that Christians should be, I still wanted to address the issue.

* "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye & pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? * ~ Matthew 7:3

A Christian is someone who follows the bible to a tee & commits NO SIN, right!? WRONG! We ALL are sinners! In fact, God tells us that he doesn't call the righteous but the sinners! We have all fallen short, & we all sin!

I've heard many people say, "oh they done that, but they call themselves a Christian" or "you're not acting very Christian like". I do believe that we, as Christians, should be setting examples! But, what many of these critics aren't realizing is that they're 'judging' & that is just as much of a sin as whatever the 'Christian' is doing. Who is anyone to judge another person's heart or their choices for that matter! We all make mistakes. & ONLY God can judge us.
~All Christians struggle, even the 'good' ones~

We,Christians, should take more accountability for the ways we act & things we say though, because people are watching us. Many people feel like they don't wanna be a Christian by the ways they see Christians as, & that is heartbreaking! I know I want people to see the love of God through me, & that's also what God wants!

So, you say what is a Christian? In 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12 this is what it says:
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you & urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more & more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy & honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; & that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you & warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Now about brotherly love we do not need to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more & more.
Make it your ambition to lead a quite life, to mind your own business & to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders & so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Here are some scriptures to help us:
• " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind.' This is the first & greatest commandment.
• And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ~ Matthew 22: 37-39
* "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" * ~ John 13:35
• If anyone does not provide for his relatives, & especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith & is worse than an unbeliever. ~ 1 Timothy 5:8
• Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ~1 John 2:15
• My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. ~James 2:1
• If anyone considers himself religious & yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself & his religion is worthless. ~ James 1:26
• Do not merely listen to the word. & so deceive yourselves. Do what it says, ~ James 1:22


We should all remember that as human beings, we are liable to make mistakes & unfortunately hurt others. But the grace of God-the unmerited favor & forgiveness of God-enables us to seek & grant forgiveness.
Many times the belief in the untrustworthiness of Christians is coupled with the belief that God turns a blind eye to the wrongs of his people. Not true. He sees all & holds his people to a higher standard.

* "The Lord disciplines those he loves" ~ Hebrews 12:6

You've probably seen the bumper sticker, "I'm not perfect-just forgiven." Thanks to Jesus, we can all experience God's grace. Even Christians.

Be Bless! ( ;

***Futher reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28***

~Conquering Anger~

This is a subject I know all too well. Something I've been battling since day 1!!
Anger is not something God implants into us, yet we struggle with it endlessly!

**Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ~James 1:12**

We are tempted by anger by so many things daily, from difficult circumstances, rude people, stress, not enough time, to personal hormonal imbalances in our bodies to things just not going our way! We are so busy, & people, including ourselves, put this high standard on us of things that have to get done daily, that we lack what I feel, is a critical necessity to helping us conquer our issues with anger. **ME TIME** & in this 'me time' I'm personally referring to time alone studying the word of God. For me, it gives me so much more patients that when situations arise, & they do often, that get my blood boiling, I can remember that anger is not the way God intends for us to handle these situations. It's there, it's happened, so deal with it, fix it & move on! If we'll take a deep breathe, or even sometimes, go cool off & deal with the situation later, we'll be proud of ourselves for not blowing up & conquering our anger!

Here are some verses of scripture that when I feel myself getting angry, I recite them to myself, even sometimes aloud, & they help me conquer some of that anger:

• Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

• Proverbs 29:22 An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

• Romans 12:17-19 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

• Ephesians 4:26 & 27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

• James 1:19-21 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

• James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.


~Here's a passage on the website YouVersion.com (that I also recommend you downloading) about anger that was pretty helpful to me:

*Not all anger is sin. In fact, you have the right to be angry about what God is angry about. It is called righteous anger. You have the right to be this way until the sun goes down. You will really need to search your heart to figure out the source of your anger. Whether you bottle up your anger or blow up with your anger, both forms are just as dangerous. You probably already know this, but misguided anger doesn't do any good for you or the people around you. It's time to let God replace your anger with love.*

• Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, •

Be blessed everyone & CONQUER your anger !! ( ;