Recently I've been asked on a few occasions about defining lines with regard to this subject. So Here I must rant a bit!
In the past several topics have come out of it.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fromsexual immorality. . . (v.19,20) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is inyou, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
It's really pretty simple. Sexual activity outside of or in addition to Marraige is not acceptable among God's people, among those who have 'said' that Jesus is their Savior, Master.
It is a statement that holds for my daughter of 13 or my grandmother of 80. And with those two situations, nearly everyone would agree. Noone things that young girls or boys should be sexually active. And not too many of us can or want to invision really old people being sexually active in nursing homes. So that seems to make sense, and yet, we turn a blind eye or wink at those who are sexually active outside of marriage in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifities etc.
Why the double standard? Why the Hypocricy? Why would we choose to bear false witness against the Holy Spirit like this?
Christians, even leaders, erroneously use the scripture, "Judge not" and yet neglect the very next few verses that command us to 'Know them by their fruit' (which requires discernment and judgement calls)
I've been asked if someone who is seeking a divorce can have a relationship with another person. I'm not condoning divorce, it is a horrible thing, but in those case where it has happened or is unavoidable, I don't have a problem with a person eventually getting remarried. BUT having a relationship with a person of the opposite sex before the divorce is final is flirting with adultery.
I've known of christians, who have actively sought affairs while still married, others who have engaged in sexual relationships with a separated -yet still legally married- person and justified it in their own understanding...I've been asked how far is the line pushable by singles...
EASY - If you're not Married to the specific individual - HANDS OFF! - if it gets covered by a Bathing suit - STAY AWAY!
Is Jesus our Lord? Our Master? or not....Let's be honest and stop playing games, regardless of the justifications, our ages Are we seeking to please the Lord, ourselves or others?
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
Author, Retreat Speaker, Worship Leader - Joanna shares thoughts on Christian life and Women's ministry.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Worldly or Godly Wisdom?
or to be more scriptural, Carnal Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.
We as Christians need to recognize that there is a difference. That there is common wisdom, or common sense or as some may say natural law, understandings about our world that are common knowledge, applicable to everyone and can be easily understood by everyone. Unfortunately, there are people who don't even desire the basics in seeing wisdom...like a simple agricultural law of 'what you sow, you reap' back in abundance. These types of wisdom, if adhered to, would help people to live a bountiful healthy life. Many people though don't want to believe that the consequences they deal with have any thing to do with choices they have made, instead they want to blame someone else and often God himself - I'm talking about Christians!
As someone who teaches, and mentors others, I see this often.
Scripture tells us in James, that if we desire wisdom, and ask for it, God is willing to give it generously. But we need to be willing to adhere to it and be corrected by it, otherwise asking for it and receiving it is of no benefit to us.
Now that's just simple, common wisdom and sense, or worldly wisdom. What about Spiritual Wisdom. Is it different? Yes! It is something that God grants to those with ears to hear what the spirit is saying to them... and it is greater than the worldly wisdom because it has eternal ramifications.
Jesus used some comparisons and examples of Worldly wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.
Matthew chapter 5:21-43 has several examples and comparisons between the two.
1 Corinthians 2 speaks alot about the difference of Worldly Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom. Verses 10-14 say, "God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Wehave not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
King David didn't seek the wisdom of God in one situation in particular...instead he operated in the worldly wisdom that worked for others...David desired to bring the most precious and holy Ark of the Covenant into the City of God. Previous to bringing it into the city the ark had been captured by an enemy army and held within their territories several months...After being cursed by God for keeping it the Philistines decided to send it back to the Jews...They had no idea how to handle it according to the designs and heart of God, so the simply made a brand new cart and got some beasts of burden to pull it and sent it away. Miraculously, the animals brought it back, unguided to the Israelites.
David sought out his counselors, his leaders, those incharge of 100's and 1000's to see what they would say to bringing the 'Presence of God, the Ark' to the city. They all thought it was a great idea, they presented it to the people and everyone was in agreement that to further the Kingdom of God they decided to use the WISDOM of the Philistines. They set it on a new cart and had it pulled by animals.
Within a few short steps. Uzzah DIED!
David was angry, distressed and confused with God and the situation. Why didn't this have the Blessing of God? Why did something so tragic take place? Why didn't God Bless this? Why didn't the same wisdom used by the Philistines/world work for the people of God?
Because God has mercy on those ignorant of His ways, But those of His own House he holds to a higher standard, to Spiritual truths! David had sought the counsel of men, the wisdom of the world and the approval of the masses, Not the counsel or approval of God.
Finally after much time had passed, David figured it out...He sought the scriptures, the Word of the Lord, and learned that for GOD's people there was a specific manner in approaching and handling the things and blessings of God...Once he followed through on handling the Things of God with Spiritual understanding and Wisdom, God Blessed!
This was not the first or the last time a situation is given in the scriptures comparing worldly/carnal wisdom with Godly/Spiritual wisdom... It is constantly repeated... and we today should learn from it...
Compare 1 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13 & 15
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
We as Christians need to recognize that there is a difference. That there is common wisdom, or common sense or as some may say natural law, understandings about our world that are common knowledge, applicable to everyone and can be easily understood by everyone. Unfortunately, there are people who don't even desire the basics in seeing wisdom...like a simple agricultural law of 'what you sow, you reap' back in abundance. These types of wisdom, if adhered to, would help people to live a bountiful healthy life. Many people though don't want to believe that the consequences they deal with have any thing to do with choices they have made, instead they want to blame someone else and often God himself - I'm talking about Christians!
As someone who teaches, and mentors others, I see this often.
Scripture tells us in James, that if we desire wisdom, and ask for it, God is willing to give it generously. But we need to be willing to adhere to it and be corrected by it, otherwise asking for it and receiving it is of no benefit to us.
Now that's just simple, common wisdom and sense, or worldly wisdom. What about Spiritual Wisdom. Is it different? Yes! It is something that God grants to those with ears to hear what the spirit is saying to them... and it is greater than the worldly wisdom because it has eternal ramifications.
Jesus used some comparisons and examples of Worldly wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.
Matthew chapter 5:21-43 has several examples and comparisons between the two.
1 Corinthians 2 speaks alot about the difference of Worldly Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom. Verses 10-14 say, "God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Wehave not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
King David didn't seek the wisdom of God in one situation in particular...instead he operated in the worldly wisdom that worked for others...David desired to bring the most precious and holy Ark of the Covenant into the City of God. Previous to bringing it into the city the ark had been captured by an enemy army and held within their territories several months...After being cursed by God for keeping it the Philistines decided to send it back to the Jews...They had no idea how to handle it according to the designs and heart of God, so the simply made a brand new cart and got some beasts of burden to pull it and sent it away. Miraculously, the animals brought it back, unguided to the Israelites.
David sought out his counselors, his leaders, those incharge of 100's and 1000's to see what they would say to bringing the 'Presence of God, the Ark' to the city. They all thought it was a great idea, they presented it to the people and everyone was in agreement that to further the Kingdom of God they decided to use the WISDOM of the Philistines. They set it on a new cart and had it pulled by animals.
Within a few short steps. Uzzah DIED!
David was angry, distressed and confused with God and the situation. Why didn't this have the Blessing of God? Why did something so tragic take place? Why didn't God Bless this? Why didn't the same wisdom used by the Philistines/world work for the people of God?
Because God has mercy on those ignorant of His ways, But those of His own House he holds to a higher standard, to Spiritual truths! David had sought the counsel of men, the wisdom of the world and the approval of the masses, Not the counsel or approval of God.
Finally after much time had passed, David figured it out...He sought the scriptures, the Word of the Lord, and learned that for GOD's people there was a specific manner in approaching and handling the things and blessings of God...Once he followed through on handling the Things of God with Spiritual understanding and Wisdom, God Blessed!
This was not the first or the last time a situation is given in the scriptures comparing worldly/carnal wisdom with Godly/Spiritual wisdom... It is constantly repeated... and we today should learn from it...
Compare 1 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13 & 15
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Should I Tithe on the Overage of a Student Loan?
"I've gotten money from the school loan which more than paid my student tuition and books this semester. I have additional money from it and am curious if I am supposed to tithe off of this amount?"
I've gotten this question about 5 times. Tithing is always off of things that you have worked hard to secure. Crops in the field that were planted, earnings from wages, etc.
Tithes are different from Offerings, which could be given from a gift amount, grant etc.
But a student loan is neither! It is not YOUR money! This is money that, even though you may have some in your hand, is not yours. It is money you have to give back in full, and depending on how quickly, with a bunch of interest. The suggestion would be to bank that money and have it available for your first few payments...Even though the likelyhood is you'll use it for personal items, it is loan money.
When you buy a car and take out a loan, do you give to a charity any of that? What about when you borrow to purchase a house, a business etc....?
I would say the answer is 'No'. Remember what the scriptures say about giving it is always from what you have secured in your abilities and strength so that you don't think you secured it without the Lord...If someone is telling you that you should give, where are they coming from?
When you give here are a few attitude checks.
Deuteronomy 15:10
"You shall generously give to Him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because [Deut 14:29; Ps 41:1; Prov 22:9] for this thing theLORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all yourundertakings.
Matthew 6:2
"So when you give, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they [Matt 6:5, 16; 23:5]may be honored by men [Matt 6:5, 16; Luke 6:24] Truly I say to you,they have their reward in full.
Matthew 6:3
"But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give just as he has purposed in his heart, not [Deut 15:10;1 Chr 29:17; Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 8:12] grudgingly or under compulsion, for [Ex 25:2] God loves a cheerful giver.
Philemon 1:14
but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that yourgoodness would [2 Cor 9:7; 1 Pet 5:2] not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
I've gotten this question about 5 times. Tithing is always off of things that you have worked hard to secure. Crops in the field that were planted, earnings from wages, etc.
Tithes are different from Offerings, which could be given from a gift amount, grant etc.
But a student loan is neither! It is not YOUR money! This is money that, even though you may have some in your hand, is not yours. It is money you have to give back in full, and depending on how quickly, with a bunch of interest. The suggestion would be to bank that money and have it available for your first few payments...Even though the likelyhood is you'll use it for personal items, it is loan money.
When you buy a car and take out a loan, do you give to a charity any of that? What about when you borrow to purchase a house, a business etc....?
I would say the answer is 'No'. Remember what the scriptures say about giving it is always from what you have secured in your abilities and strength so that you don't think you secured it without the Lord...If someone is telling you that you should give, where are they coming from?
When you give here are a few attitude checks.
Deuteronomy 15:10
"You shall generously give to Him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because [Deut 14:29; Ps 41:1; Prov 22:9] for this thing theLORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all yourundertakings.
Matthew 6:2
"So when you give, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they [Matt 6:5, 16; 23:5]may be honored by men [Matt 6:5, 16; Luke 6:24] Truly I say to you,they have their reward in full.
Matthew 6:3
"But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give just as he has purposed in his heart, not [Deut 15:10;1 Chr 29:17; Rom 12:8; 2 Cor 8:12] grudgingly or under compulsion, for [Ex 25:2] God loves a cheerful giver.
Philemon 1:14
but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that yourgoodness would [2 Cor 9:7; 1 Pet 5:2] not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mentoring and Growth
Ever sit and watch the grass grow? Seems pretty pointless - but I would have to say as I've gotten older, even though I'm usually a busy person, there are those times when I quiet my busy self and just watch things...consider their growth.
I have been fortunate to mentor several women, some for years, some only months, and some it's more like giving some sisterly advise or instruction and then I get to watch how they grow.
This past weekend, while at a women's retreat for Three Village Church as the guest speaker, I was quite ill. Probably too sick to be there, butI pushed my self and was able to give two of the three messages I'd prepared. The last one, though I'm sure knowing myself, I could have pushed a bit harder, and made it through. Instead I chose to pass the baton to one of the women on their leadership team who I do believe is called to speak to women and minister.
In preparation for the retreat we had a few discussions on the phone and a meeting or two where it had even been expressed by her that she would love to speak and sees that happening in the future.
I could have continued to give the message I that I prepared, but it would have been from a selfish perspective. Instead, It was becoming obvious to me that the Lord wanted to use that opportunity for her to get up in front of her own fellowship and step out of the boat!
She took my notes, made them her own and did wonderfully! She burst through the ground and spoke! It was great growth to see, and I don't even know her all that well.
I am blessed to know that through pouring our lives into others, that God gets the glory,lives are changed and beauty is brought forth!
Another young woman I've mentored for about eight years has also grown beautifully! A gorgeous young woman of twenty five, Kim has moved away from here to start a life in PA as an Occupational Therapist. She has had a rough year and is entering the time of flourishing....With heartache after heartache last year and disappointment after disappointment, she has weathered through probably some of the toughests situations I've seen someone of her age have to contend with and all that practically alone!
She today is stronger than ever and has dynamic personality, perspective and potential! I have been blessed to sit and watch the flowers grow in her! I am blessed when she reminds me of things I've shared with her to encourage or equip her, Things that may not have made complete sense at the time, but suddenly, she gets it now...
It's amazing how much we impact each other, how we help to shape and mold each other in Christ.
I praise God, to be able to passionately share Christ with others, and pray that as I plant seeds, God will bring the increase, not just to them, but to me as well....
so I continue to grow.....
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
I have been fortunate to mentor several women, some for years, some only months, and some it's more like giving some sisterly advise or instruction and then I get to watch how they grow.
This past weekend, while at a women's retreat for Three Village Church as the guest speaker, I was quite ill. Probably too sick to be there, butI pushed my self and was able to give two of the three messages I'd prepared. The last one, though I'm sure knowing myself, I could have pushed a bit harder, and made it through. Instead I chose to pass the baton to one of the women on their leadership team who I do believe is called to speak to women and minister.
In preparation for the retreat we had a few discussions on the phone and a meeting or two where it had even been expressed by her that she would love to speak and sees that happening in the future.
I could have continued to give the message I that I prepared, but it would have been from a selfish perspective. Instead, It was becoming obvious to me that the Lord wanted to use that opportunity for her to get up in front of her own fellowship and step out of the boat!
She took my notes, made them her own and did wonderfully! She burst through the ground and spoke! It was great growth to see, and I don't even know her all that well.
I am blessed to know that through pouring our lives into others, that God gets the glory,lives are changed and beauty is brought forth!
Another young woman I've mentored for about eight years has also grown beautifully! A gorgeous young woman of twenty five, Kim has moved away from here to start a life in PA as an Occupational Therapist. She has had a rough year and is entering the time of flourishing....With heartache after heartache last year and disappointment after disappointment, she has weathered through probably some of the toughests situations I've seen someone of her age have to contend with and all that practically alone!
She today is stronger than ever and has dynamic personality, perspective and potential! I have been blessed to sit and watch the flowers grow in her! I am blessed when she reminds me of things I've shared with her to encourage or equip her, Things that may not have made complete sense at the time, but suddenly, she gets it now...
It's amazing how much we impact each other, how we help to shape and mold each other in Christ.
I praise God, to be able to passionately share Christ with others, and pray that as I plant seeds, God will bring the increase, not just to them, but to me as well....
so I continue to grow.....
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Do we devalue the Old Testament?
"Regarding the Old Testament, I hear Christians say, 'O don't worry about that, we live according to the New Testament'... Why do so many seem to neglect it?"
I am puzzled by this as well, actually I get very irritated by it. It would be similar to meeting entering into a relationship, let's say when I first met my husband, and never ever desiring to know anything about him that took place in his life before that day! Does that make any sense?
If you start watching a movie half way through, do you really understand what's going on, you' catch on eventually, but there are significant aspects of the plot that you have missed and they hold keys to what you now view!
It's the same in Christ! Everything about the Old Testament speaks to us today!!! EVERYTHING! Even, Dueteronomy 25:4 "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing."
The Apostle Paul used that scripture in 1 Cor 9:9-10, "For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING " God is not concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops."
That is a seemingly meaningless verse to us today, but it was significant in Paul's letter. Think of the countless times, God is speaking directly to His own people, His instructions, His warnings, His encouragments! Add to that the numerous times Christ is alluded to, foreshadowed and spoken of in typological terms!
The text alone speaks value to us, in its entirety! Then when we understand the reasons behind the text, the revelations, the wisdom of various instructions, laws and boundaries, we realize that through Jesus Christ the Law of God is pure, holy and just. That it speaks of a great glory, a vast wealth of liberty and abundant life as we live it out!
Christians, mostly gentiles or ex-pagans, historically speaking, came into Christianity, unaware of the Jewish customs, various laws and festivals that had been long established from Abraham through to Moses. The gentiles were not put under the requirements of the Laws by the Jewish leaders of the Church during the days of the Apostles...
Of everything the Jews were required to fulfill and keep, the gentile believers in Jesus were permitted to keep it simple - Acts 15:20 "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood." THAT's IT! The tem commandments were understood, and the gospel as preached regarding Jesus was a given, all else was graciously left off the backs of the new gentile believers.
Because they didn't have the foundation of understanding in the ways of God, the Jewish Believers didn't want to overburden them with things they didn't understand and weren't used to...these things didn't necessitate salvation.
BUT - that doesn't mean those things are worthless, or without merit or value. Dietary laws for the Jews, are incredibly healthy for humans to follow. Not following them leads to all kinds of health problems! The festivals all spoke of a national event and common past, but in addition they spoke of the future coming of the One God had proclaimed.
The more I love the Lord, the more I get a desire to fully understand the beginning of the story, the events leading up to my revelation of Christ. I desire to know more and more of what He ordained, said, did in the past that I might be able to see His faithfulness and character in new, refreshing and thrilling ways.
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
I am puzzled by this as well, actually I get very irritated by it. It would be similar to meeting entering into a relationship, let's say when I first met my husband, and never ever desiring to know anything about him that took place in his life before that day! Does that make any sense?
If you start watching a movie half way through, do you really understand what's going on, you' catch on eventually, but there are significant aspects of the plot that you have missed and they hold keys to what you now view!
It's the same in Christ! Everything about the Old Testament speaks to us today!!! EVERYTHING! Even, Dueteronomy 25:4 "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing."
The Apostle Paul used that scripture in 1 Cor 9:9-10, "For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING " God is not concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops."
That is a seemingly meaningless verse to us today, but it was significant in Paul's letter. Think of the countless times, God is speaking directly to His own people, His instructions, His warnings, His encouragments! Add to that the numerous times Christ is alluded to, foreshadowed and spoken of in typological terms!
The text alone speaks value to us, in its entirety! Then when we understand the reasons behind the text, the revelations, the wisdom of various instructions, laws and boundaries, we realize that through Jesus Christ the Law of God is pure, holy and just. That it speaks of a great glory, a vast wealth of liberty and abundant life as we live it out!
Christians, mostly gentiles or ex-pagans, historically speaking, came into Christianity, unaware of the Jewish customs, various laws and festivals that had been long established from Abraham through to Moses. The gentiles were not put under the requirements of the Laws by the Jewish leaders of the Church during the days of the Apostles...
Of everything the Jews were required to fulfill and keep, the gentile believers in Jesus were permitted to keep it simple - Acts 15:20 "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood." THAT's IT! The tem commandments were understood, and the gospel as preached regarding Jesus was a given, all else was graciously left off the backs of the new gentile believers.
Because they didn't have the foundation of understanding in the ways of God, the Jewish Believers didn't want to overburden them with things they didn't understand and weren't used to...these things didn't necessitate salvation.
BUT - that doesn't mean those things are worthless, or without merit or value. Dietary laws for the Jews, are incredibly healthy for humans to follow. Not following them leads to all kinds of health problems! The festivals all spoke of a national event and common past, but in addition they spoke of the future coming of the One God had proclaimed.
The more I love the Lord, the more I get a desire to fully understand the beginning of the story, the events leading up to my revelation of Christ. I desire to know more and more of what He ordained, said, did in the past that I might be able to see His faithfulness and character in new, refreshing and thrilling ways.
Check out the website www.GraciousVine.com or www.JoannaFruhauf.com
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