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Articles by Janice Miller

Some of My Favorites: Exercise Freedom – to Say No!

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I’m not great at memory work, but I have a book of my favorite Scriptures. I add to it as a new verse touches my heart. Can I share a few with you?

 

Exercise Freedom – to Say No!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

praying_on_bible_redWhat a wonderful revelation this Scripture was for me.

You know, young Christians are fired up and ready to take on the world. That’s a good thing, but what sometimes happens is they end up taking on more than their share of the “works” of the church or the community.

Please don’t misunderstand me. Christ has certainly given us the charge of taking care of our church body and our community. Getting buried in it is something different. If you are drowning in good works and getting no pleasure or satisfaction in it, you may be in over your head. Take time to pray about it, and let God guide you in the way you should go.

As I began my journey with Jesus, I wanted to do anything and everything to please Him, not really understanding what that meant. I became burdened, overwhelmed, and frustrated. Then I read Galatians. It is called the book of freedom.

As believers in Christ we have a purpose in this world. We are all called to share the good news of the gospel of Christ. We are all called to care for the needy of the world. We are all called to join with other believers as a church and work together in praise, fellowship, worship, study of the Word, and outreach. Just don’t expect that the Lord wants YOU to do it all. What He wants is for us to listen for His call on our lives and work in the way He has set for us.

Lord, thank you for freedom and the knowledge that You will guide us in the way we should go. Let us hear Your voice and obey.

Janice

Some of My Favorites: Live in Unity with Other Believers

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I’m not great at memory work, but I have a book of my favorite Scriptures. I add to it as a new verse touches my heart. Can I share a few with you?

 

Live in Unity with Other Believers

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1:10

praying_on_bible_redIf you have read Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth, you understand that these believers were having some issues! He was quite frank with them and did not hesitate to give them a good “preaching to.”

I believe it is safe to say that today’s churches have their own issues. People are people. Even so, our churches strive to be the best they can be, and I praise God for my church.

But what I think about when I read this verse is the body of Christ, the true church. There are many Christian “churches,” going by different labels or names, but as true Christians we are all part of the same body. We are all part of the same church.

If all the Christians just in America could ever come together in one mind and of one accord, oh, what a revival we would see! The spiritual strength of our unity would be overwhelming. It would be absolutely beautiful. The praises to our Lord would rock the heavens.

Now that would be something to see.

Lord, help us to understand that there are many believers in this world and we are all part of the same family. Your family. Oh, how we love You.

Janice

Some of My Favorites: Stay Focused on Heaven

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I’m not great at memory work, but I have a book of my favorite Scriptures. I add to it as a new verse touches my heart. Can I share a few with you?

 

Stay Focused on Heaven

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

praying_on_bible_redIn this Scripture Paul reminded the believers at Corinth that what we endure on this earth is nothing compared to our promised eternity in Christ.

I love these verses because Paul’s words are so very encouraging to me. In the last six years, I have truly been going through a day-by-day renewal. In Paul’s day it was known as “Walking in The Way.” The Lord changes us and teaches us new ways of living and being.

Today we hear of many around the world who are being persecuted for “Walking in The Way.” It’s not new. The Christians at Corinth were at risk. Paul was constantly persecuted.

But here is the point. As believers in Christ we can look past the temporary and focus on the “unseen” heaven – the promise of eternity with our Lord and Savior.

Lord, help us to be faithful to you and spiritually strong in this temporal world, no matter what may come our way, for we know you have prepared a place for us that surpasses all things we may experience in this life.

Janice