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EGI Episode 6: Setting Christian Norms

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We as Christians must have norms and values to do the lords work.  We must understand how to guide each other to effective member behavior, which is not easy because of (1) the flesh and (2) interpersonal problems that get in the way.

So what does this mean for us to have Christian norms and values?

Is it Ethics or Morally Driven? And who gives us this compass to follow?

There are 3 things that will guide you in setting Christian norms for you and your teams

  1. Know your absolute authority is with Christ.

Christians are given God’s grace which places our lives under the absolute lordship of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:21 – “For me to live is Christ” meaning he is the center of our life.

Romans 13:1 – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

  1. Know where the source of our norms comes from.

What is clear from I Corinthians 11 is that the norms for us do not lie in our culture, but rather in the Word of God., and that God’s Word and God’s Spirit bring with them a new culture. Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

  1. React to other by Gods examples

Jesus says in John 13:15: “…I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”

Romans 2:14 says that “the Gentiles who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law.”

So in order for us as Christians to establish norms, we must look beyond the written communicative, respectful and problem-solving aspects in the secular world and dig look deeper in the word of God.

Paul shares that if that was written in man’s conscience at creation, why do we need the Ten Commandments?’ the answer is that our conscience has fallen.

Conscience can only be our guide if our conscience is ruled by the Word of God.

Estella & Lauren

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Edge God In Podcast 4: To Trust or Not to Trust In God

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EdgeGodIn.com

Dear Lord, help me to trust in you more today than yesterday. If I truly put my trust in you then peace and confidence will be my way in all of my dealings today. Forgive me for the moments when I forget that you are working on my behalf for your glory behind closed doors as I trust in you. Expand within me a deep desire to rely on your purposes for me, to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. When I start to worry move me to do something kind for someone else. As I forget about myself, what I think, want and need my ability to experience inner peace and freedom expands. 

Edge God In Podcast 4: To Trust or Not to Trust In God…The Choice is Yours and Leads to Inner Peace or Turmoil

Click Here to Download the PDF Edge God In Bible Study for this Podcast: Edge God In Podcast Week 4 To Trust or Not to Trust

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EGI Episode 2: Three Things that Block Gods Favor

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Edge God In Episode 2, hosted by Estella and Lauren, gives the listener three things that block Gods Favor. The lesson begins with Deuteronomy 28, sharing the positive rewards experienced when in Gods favor and continues by taking the listener through the three steps and solutions needed to stay in the favor of God.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth….

Step 1. Listening to the voices in the world instead of God’s voice.

Solution: First Things First: Commit to daily mindful living in constant conversation with God. 2. Following idols: popularity; possessions and power.

Step 2. Following idols: popularity; possessions and power.

Solution: Step off the stage, stop casting yourself in the drama and allow God to place you in His will.

Step 3. Avoid tuning into and obeying what God tells you.

Solution: Bookend your day with prayer and scripture meditation and pull the lesson through your day ending the day with reflection around the ways you succeeded in God and those areas you compromised for the sake of worldly approval.

~ LaurenEstella 2017

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Joy to the World -The Lord has come!


Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. KJV.

This is my favorite  time of year because it makes life meaningful. If it weren’t for this event in history, we would be lost and not blessed with eternal life.

During the holiday’s we forget the true gift of Christmas, as we get caught up in giving to others and in self. I pray that we take to time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, which is spreading the gift of Gods ability to give us eternal life through our savior Jesus Christ.

I pray that we carry and share this gift throughout the year, and turn our attention to all the things that make his vision possible in the work we do and the lives we touch.

Blessing!!

~Estella

Christian, Faith, Inspiration, prayer, purpose, Uncategorized

If I Can? Belief Makes it Possible


 

I was reading the scriptures today from Mark 9:14-23. So imagine this scene: a bunch of people crowding around Jesus in awe and wonder. One man in particular makes his way into Jesus attention and speaks up:

“Teacher, my son is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

So I’m not sure at this point if any of the disciples this man was referencing happened to be overhearing this conversation. I can imagine though if I was in their shoes I would have felt a bit thrown under the failure bus…wouldn’t you? So here we stand in a moment of DOUBT. Can you relate?

There is also another element here worth exploring, that being robbed of the ability to speak, which was the case for the boy possessed by the evil spirit. Have you ever felt robbed of the ability to speak? Perhaps it’s simply around your ability to speak healthy boundaries into your life or speaking the truth in spite of negative reaction? Either way it’s obviously an area that an evil spirit can slither into and perhaps worth some self reflection.

The scriptures continue on with the scenario and Jesus response which I can only imagine the facial expressions that went along with it: “O unbelieving generation…how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”   Quickly the people ran and got the boy who was possessed and Jesus asks how long the boy was in this condition…perhaps to remind us all the healing from God is not confined by time or intensity, as is too often the case in human reasoning: “Well, it’s always been this way so this is the way it will always be.” Jesus is constantly beckoning to us all to step up and out of limited, self-defeating thinking.

The people responded from that below the line limited thinking as they shared with Jesus that the boy had been possessed since childhood and then went on to say, “if you can do anything take pity on us!” …Sound familiar? “Please God, please help me if you can do anything to help me, then help me.” I know those words flew out of my mouth during some dark moments in the midst of advanced cancer and divorce.

Again, can you imagine the facial expressions that go along with Jesus’ response to the above plea from the boy’s father: “If you can?..EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE for those who believe.” After saying these words Jesus’ commands the deaf and dumb spirit to leave the child and he is healed instantly. Compassionately Jesus then instructs the disciples as to the need for specific prayer needed to drive out this kind of evil spirit.

I have often laughed out loud as I imagine how many times Jesus has had the same response to my plea’s for help: “If I can? All things are possible for those who believe.” When you ask for those things in a surrendered state which align with the will of God for you in life: love; joy; peace; patience; self-control; godliness; kindness; goodness; gentleness; strength of character; wisdom; perspective; guidance; a spirit of courage and power to overcome that which you feel overcome by in your circumstances in life, then stand up tall and occupy the space of belief that YOU WILL RECEIVE THAT WHICH YOU ASK FOR.

God believes He CAN do all things in and through you…do you?

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><

Christian, Faith, how to, Inspiration, personal excellence, Uncategorized

Choose Your Attitude

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Choose Your Attitude: You Have the Mind of Christ =>

You have the ability to choose your attitude.

Your attitude is the portal through which you process the events in your life.

Make it a top priority therefore to consciously choose the thoughts that fuel your attitude.  Want more love? Be loving? Want to be understood? Seek to Understand? Want to be appreciated and encouraged? Look for opportunities to appreciate and encourage those around you.

Creating a positive life-giving attitude often requires the gift of grace, especially in the midst of challenging circumstances.

The prayer below is based off a scripture I read earlier this week that caught my attention, I believe that what God calls us to is possible now:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Phil 2:5

“God, I want the very mind of Christ as I go through another gift of life today.

May I see, as he did, You in every face I encounter.

Give me Jesus’ thoughts that were not imprisoned by the yoke of slavery to unbridled ambition for status or the unquenchable desire for approval.

I want to choose love & compassion as Jesus did, over fear & judgment.

I want to think and respond as Jesus did: to love for the sake of love alone, untainted by hidden agendas or crevices of lack & scarcity.

Break my heart over the things that broke yours as you walked the earth.

I want to seek to understand over being understood, free from attachment to certain responses.

To be able to respond to criticism with even more love to make up for the lack of it in those moments.

Jesus existed above compliments & complaints, grounded in the purpose for which his heart beat: to be a missionary of love no matter what…I want that same energy and laser focus today so that my God given ability to create beauty in this world flows without restriction & reflects a focused sense of purpose.

God, I believe this is my natural state of being so as you answer this prayer of mine my joy will be complete & my peace will be profound.”

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><