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should i vote?

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That is the question for so many Christians right now. When faced with choosing between two less-than-Christlike candidates, it can be tempting to take the Pilate route:

“So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” -Matthew 27:24

But I doubt Pilate excused himself from God’s judgement simply by publicly proclaiming his innocence. I believe Pilate will absolutely answer for his part in the crucifixion one day. Just as each of us will stand before God’s throne and give an account for the choices we made in life as well.

Scripture calls for us to be salt and light in the world:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5: 13-16

Salt and light both serve multiple purposes. But I want to focus on one in particular that both can work together to accomplish; salt and light slow decay.

If we take a look around, it doesn’t take long to see that the world is suffering significantly from moral decay. Hard as we might try, we can’t physically touch or speak with every person in need. But a vote in favor of policies that uphold the things of God will cast salt and light far and wide.

Family. Children. Israel. God has told us His intentions for men, women, husbands, wives, children, Israel, etc. Those are the things we vote for. It’s not about voting for a person. Everyone is a sinner. No one is worthy. If not for the grace of God, we would all be headed straight to hell.

Jeremiah 29: 4-7 says:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But SEEK the WELFARE of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

The best we can do is stay in the Bible, pray often, and seek the welfare of our nation. Look at the policies each candidate stands for, and vote for the policies that best uphold God’s Word and will for this world. We must be salt and light to help slow the moral decay of our society.

No one is neutral in a spiritual war. We’re either fighting for the things of God, or we’re standing against Him.

Dear Father, please, never allow me to stand in opposition to you. There is far too much on the line.

Be salt and light. And Come, Lord Jesus, COME! Amen.

Jeremiah 29: 4-7

Love,
Emily

speak now

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Brothers and sisters in Christ:
Don’t tell them about your church.
Don’t tell them about your pastor.
Tell them about your SAVIOR.

Be fearless! Share the GOOD NEWS! Tell someone why you need a Savior, and help them understand why they need one too. Lead them to Christ, and then invite them to worship service so they can hear the Word of God preached as much as possible. This is the Way.

The First Church (beginning with the Apostles), was not commissioned to invite pagans into their worship services. The first evangelists of Christ went out and preached the Gospel, led others to salvation in Christ, baptized them, and then welcomed them into the worshiping congregation as born-again followers of Yeshua (Jesus).

I believe that so much of the struggle inside The Church body today is because Christ followers have gotten lazy, scared, and/or forgot their calling — and I have been guilty of this as well. We haven’t read His Word regularly. We haven’t shared The Gospel with others. Instead, we’ve invited folks in who were not washed in the blood. We wanted the pastors (or someone else) to do all the work. And we are paying for it.

Those unbelievers who were not rooted in Christ have spread lies and half-truths throughout The Church, deceiving and causing confusion, which is never of God. And now The Church is sick, and nearly unrecognizable.

The Church is supposed to be the well body of Christ that goes out into the world with the medicine (The Gospel) the world so desperately needs. All followers of Christ are called to share The Gospel, and -insert PRAISE- we can do so in many different ways.

Some are called to go into cities or universities as street preachers, some stand in church buildings and teach, some travel the globe as mission workers, some write books and blogs, some create videos on social media, etc. There are so many ways to reach people in today’s world of modern technology, and for that I am so thankful!

Regardless of how we’ve been called by God to spread His Gospel (and if you’re not sure, PRAY about it), we are to SPEAK His Truth in love to everyone. He wants to include us so He invites us to actively participate in His ministry. And by choosing to do so, we are blessed.

But friend, our time is running out.

I heard a pastor say recently that we’re not at the “beginning of the end” in the prophetic timeline of events.. we’re actually at the end of the beginning. Meaning, The Church Age is coming to an end, and the great tribulation is about to begin.

Whenever I write my posts, I always pray they’ll find their way to whoever was meant to read them. So I pray this blesses you today, and fills you with a sense of urgency. I truly believe we are at the end of the beginning, and soon The Church will be taken up from this world. I pray you are not here when that light goes out. But if you are, I want you to know that there is still hope for you. His name is Yeshua (Jesus), and He died for us while we were still sinners, so that we might believe in Him, follow Him, and live with Him in eternity. Every day is one day closer to that fulfillment. HALLELUJAH!

Romans 5: 6-9

Love,
Emily

are you sure?

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“Are you absolutely sure?”

It’s a question I have asked myself countless times. I’m always analyzing and questioning. It’s just in my nature. It’s the reason why science has been my favorite subject to study since high school. I need the what, why, how, and when for nearly everything. Professionally, it’s to my benefit. I deal with risk management often, so I am wired to look 4000 yards ahead and see what might derail a project. This makes me a great fit for my job, but also feeds the “question monster.”

God bless my husband, because (most of the time) he deals so patiently with my questioning nature. Anyone else would have surely run away screaming by now. Maybe. 😂 I just can’t shut off my brain; it is hungry and wants to know all the things.

This is where my faith is often tested. While my questioning nature is an asset to my job, it is sometimes an obstacle to my faith. We aren’t meant to know everything about God and His plan right now in this life. There’s a beautiful verse in Deuteronomy that answers so many questions for us:

“The secret things belong to The Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” – Deuteronomy 29:29

Whenever I have questions that can’t be answered, I repeat this scripture to myself, and it brings instant peace and comfort.

But still, for the longest time, there was always one question that I couldn’t answer with 100% certainty or shake off…

“Am I truly saved?”

I mean, I knew the ‘how’ to getting saved. I knew the gospel. But doubt would often creep in and I wanted proof of my salvation. My mind used to question, “If I died right now, am I sure I would I go to Heaven?”

For a long time I didn’t know. I ‘hoped’ I knew, but I wasn’t sure. Even though I believed in Jesus as Messiah and shared the gospel with others, I doubted my own standing with Him. But then one day, thankfully, mercifully, I was reminded that even John the Baptist had doubts. Near the end of his life, when John was arrested and being held in a cell, he sent word to Jesus, asking if HE was the Messiah or if there would be someone else to come. John was afraid and needed reassurance. And Jesus did not rebuke John when he received his question. Jesus simply answered John with proof of His identity, according to the prophetic scriptures that John would surely know:

And He answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” – Luke 7: 22-23

Instantly, I felt better knowing that even someone as great as John the Baptist had doubts. Even after baptizing Jesus, John still doubted. Praise The Lord who understands our weak flesh and our doubts!

As time marched on and I began to seek after The Lord more fervently by reading His Word and listening to Bible-based sermons, I began to hear and understand that unless The Holy Spirit lives inside of you (which is the mark of salvation), lasting and continuous change will not occur.

So I started taking inventory of my life, and I was quickly reminded of all the worldly things I used to enjoy and take part in, that now completely turn my stomach. And the proof was right in front of me:

I am NOT the same person I was.

I used to be in love with the dark. I loved going out to bars with my friends and drinking the night way. I loved all the wrong music, no matter the lyrics. I watched whatever I wanted, no matter the rating or content. I said whatever I wanted to say, whenever I wanted to say it. I did whatever I wanted to do, regardless of the consequences.

But Praise God! I am not this person anymore, and the change that has happened within me is nothing less than the work of The Holy Spirit.

Is my transformation complete? Is this who I will be? Absolutely not. As long as I have breath in my lungs, I am continuously being transformed by The Holy Spirit. Our transformation is not instantaneous; it is a daily and lifelong process. We have to seek The Lord and His will first, placing Him above things that our flesh may want.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1: 6

So if you have doubts about your own salvation, take a look at who you are today and compare that person to who you were before you heard the gospel. What has changed? Are you closer to God now than you were back then? Do you love Him more than you love yourself?

“…Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4: 21-24

We will never achieve sinless perfection in this life, but The Holy Spirit will never depart from us or stop working on us, as long as we seek first His Kingdom.

Love,
Emily

windex

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The other day, I saw a post on social media with a classic throwback reference that gave me a solid belly laugh. In one of the organic-remedies-type groups I’ve joined, another mom posted about an all-natural salve that she had found numerous uses for. When the salve came up in conversation with her children, one child told the other that this salve was mom’s new “Windex”.

Now if you haven’t seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I realize that reference will be completely lost on you. But if you have seen it, then you probably chuckled out loud just now.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a rom-com done right. If you haven’t seen it, go right now and find a way to watch it. Everyone needs a good laugh nowadays.

The head of the Greek family in this movie is proud Papa Gus, and he is adamant that Windex (in addition to being a great cleaner) is a cure-all for anything that ails you. Got a sore elbow? Windex. Wake up with a zit? Windex. Poison ivy? Windex. Burn your hand? “Put some Windex on it!”

This hysterical Windex reference is a running joke throughout the movie. Just when you think something is beyond the power of Windex, this strange phenomenon strikes again. Ignoring the reality that Windex is not meant to treat odd skin conditions or injuries, this ruse gives us a great talking point for today.

I started thinking about how Windex is first and foremost used to clean glass (usually windows and mirrors), to help us see more clearly. Our once-cloudy perspectives become crystal clear when we use Windex appropriately. Just like the Holy Spirit. He is my Windex.

Not only does the Holy Spirit help me to see everything more clearly, but he can also do many other things that Windex cannot do. Windex’s power stops at the glass. It cleans the glass for you, but then it’s up to you to discern what you’re actually seeing.

Without the blessing of the Holy Spirit, I would be at the mercy of my own thoughts and limited human understanding about what I see happening in the world today. I can sit and take in all the information that the media wants to pour into me, but without a truthful guide and accurate compass, I’m going to be tossed around in the wind, not knowing where I will end up.

It is crystal clear to me that the much-needed remedy – for all of us – is the Holy Spirit.

Anyone can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. There are just 3 main steps involved in receiving and keeping this blessing:

  • Step 1. PRAY: Repent and ask the Holy Spirit to come live inside of you, and guide you each day.
  • Step 2. READ: Open your Bible every day and devote time to learning God’s Will for your life.
  • Step 3. OBEY: When you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you, don’t ignore him. Follow God’s Word, and don’t reject the Holy Spirit by continued disobedience.

Step 1 and 2 are pretty obvious, but I’d like to dive a little deeper into step 3 for a minute.

It is undeniably true that without our belief in Jesus as the Son of God, we cannot be saved. Jesus died on a cross to save us. Without his sacrifice, we would be condemned to an eternity apart from God. Therefore, acknowledging this sacrifice made on our behalf, earnestly praying for forgiveness for our sins, and accepting God’s grace (to cover accidental sin we might fall into) is absolutely imperative to our salvation.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
-Galatians 2: 21 (ESV)

However, we are not called to abuse God’s grace by repeatedly choosing our own fleshly desires (sin) over his good and perfect Will for our lives. There are many who live under the assumption that one prayer is all it takes to be saved forever, no matter how you choose to live. Friends, please do not be deceived by a false comfort whispered to you from the enemy.

If, after your repentant prayer, you choose to live a life walking with God each day, earnestly implementing steps 1-3 above, then YES, the Holy Spirit will live inside you and serve as the MARK and SEAL of your salvation.

However, if you repent but then choose to return to unchecked habitual sin patterns (usually an indication that steps 2 and 3 are not being implemented), then you will be rejecting the gift and SEAL of the the Holy Spirit on your life and salvation. If you repeatedly ignore the Holy Spirit, eventually your view of the world will be so clouded by your own sin that you will no longer be able to see and discern the Truth, and you’ll be willfully living in rebellion against God. Anyone who lives in the flesh has not truly been BORN AGAIN.

1 Peter 1: 13-25 says:

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for: 

“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

But no matter how far you may have strayed away from Him, if you truly and earnestly repent and turn your life back to God (steps 1, 2 and 3!) — He is MIGHTY to SAVE!

Church, the spiritual warfare happening in these last days is heavy and relentless. Without our Windex, we will not be able to see things for what they truly are. We will be blinded to the Truth, and miss the warning signs that are all around us.

Jesus is coming soon. As His Church, we have work to do. Don’t delay. He desires that not a single one be left behind.

Blessings,
Emily

let in the light

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The first thing I do each morning when I walk into my living room is to open up all of the blinds and let in the light. It’s second nature. I am drawn to the light. It’s warm, inviting, and lovely. I want it to fill my home and brighten everything it touches. I want to sit on the window bench in my breakfast nook and soak up every drop of sunshine, while holding a warm cup of good coffee and counting my blessings.

It’s hard to imagine anything brighter than the sun. Every day, the sun warms the Earth and gives life to everything it touches. The plants, animals, waterways, and humans all need the sun in order to survive. Our Creation was designed in this way. Everything needs the light.

But there is one light that is even brighter and more life-giving than the sun!

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
~ 1 John 1:5

Can you imagine how bright God’s light must be, if there is NO darkness in Him at all?? No shadows, no clouds, no haziness. His light is SO bright and He is SO holy that man cannot look upon Him and live. (from Exodus 33:20)

But how do we gain access to a God this holy? How do we approach Him? How do we get to know Him? How can we possibly spend eternity with Him? There are many things to learn about His ways, but the most important point to understand is this:

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
~John 14:6

No one enters the gates of Heaven except through Yeshua (Jesus). But what does this mean? Many things in the Bible are a great mystery, and there are some things we will never understand on this side of Heaven. However, this passage is one that we can easily break down and translate because we must — it is the KEY to understanding salvation.

The WAY: Believing in Yeshua as the Son of God is the ONLY WAY to God. He is the perfect High Priest and the Lamb of God that is without flaw. By first studying the Old Testament (particularly Leviticus), we gain an understanding of what it takes to be seen as holy to God (and WOW, do we ever fall short of that endeavor).. And when we do fail to remain holy, we see that the way to atonement for sin is through blood sacrifice, as defined by God in unmistakable detail. God makes it abundantly clear to Moses and his people how they can make atonement for their sins; He tells them what types of sacrifices are acceptable and exactly how to present the offerings in order for them to be holy and pleasing to God. God is perfectly thorough in His instructions; He does not leave out any details or room for error. Therefore, by first understanding these Old Testament laws, we can see why Yeshua’s birth and death was absolutely necessary in order to restore our relationship with God, and save us from eternal death in sin. In this way, God essentially wrote the check HIMSELF for the payment that was needed to make atonement for OUR sins.

The TRUTH: God’s Word (the entire Bible) is the Truth. Yeshua is the Living Word of God. He is the Wisdom of God. Yeshua is the embodiment of God’s holy Word. His ways are perfect. He came to fulfill the law of God, not to abolish it. Yeshua is the true and perfect example for us in how we should live according to God’s laws. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” And from John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” AMEN!

The LIFE: For this one, we can flip back to John 1:4 which says, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” Now we’ve come full circle back to the light. Yeshua as God’s Son is the life and light of men. Through Yeshua, we can now receive eternal life with God the Father in Heaven.

I encourage you to let in the light today, and every day. Open all the blinds and curtains. Grab a good cup of coffee, and dig deep into God’s Word. Spend time with Him every day. Study the Truth, so that when you encounter false teachings (and you certainly will), you will be able to discern them from the Truth.

If you’re like me and need some guidance on where to start and how to study the Bible, take a look at the free study plans that are offered on the free YouVersion Bible app, which is available in both app stores for your mobile device.

Friends, we are living in dark times. Many believe that we are the last generation before the return of Yeshua the Christ. Although no one can know exactly when He will return, by studying God’s Word, we will be armed with the Truth and we’ll know what signs to look for so we can be ready.

Blessings!
Emily

because He lives.

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Life has been anything but easy over the last month or so.

I have thought many times about what my next blog post should be, what I should share, what I should leave out… I have started to write so many times, and just didn’t have the energy, or the focus, or the time to do it justice.

Tonight is much the same, but I heard an old familiar song start to play in my mind earlier, and it brought me comfort. I wanted to share this song with y’all, in case someone else needs to hear it too. I pray that it gives you the peace you need to face any trial in your path.

When I am able, I’ll write more. Until then… 

Because He Lives:

 God sent His Son, they called him Jesus,
 He came to love, heal and forgive;
 He lived and died, to buy my pardon,
 An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

 Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
 Because He lives, all fear is gone;
 Because I know He holds the future,
 And life is worth the living just because He lives.

 How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
 And feel the pride, and joy he gives;
 But greater still the calm assurance,
 This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

 Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
 Because He lives, all fear is gone;
 Because I know He holds the future,
 And life is worth the living just because He lives.

 And then one day I'll cross the river,
 I'll fight life's final war with pain;
 And then as death gives way to victory,
 I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

 Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
 Because He lives, all fear is gone;
 Because I know He holds the future,
 And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Blessings,
Emily