Baptism – letting go of procrastination

Just recently, I had the joy of watching my twelve year old daughter get baptized. It was a beautiful demonstration of her commitment to Christ and public testimony of how He saved her. It reminded me of when I was baptized; only I was eighteen years old. Even though I asked Jesus into my heart at age seven, I waited. I didn't have the courage that my daughter had and so, as time past, I just put it farther down the list of priorities. It wasn't till my parents brought the subject up, did I remember I hadn't been baptized yet. I had procrastinated the very thing that symbolized my faith in the most public way I could. So, I followed through in obedience from scripture and was baptized (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). It was a beautiful day that I will never forget. 

In the bible, Ananias told Paul after he had seen the Lord, in Acts 22;15-16, "For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name (HCSB)."

Have you been procrastinating showing your faith publicly? Are you like I was and you know Jesus has saved you, but you have not been baptized? Have you been putting off sharing your faith with someone you know needs to hear it? Why delay? You are a witness to what He has done for you in your life. It is significant!

I was very touched when I watched my daughter's baptism, but I tend to be whenever I witness any baptism – it is powerful. I heard a pastor say once, that many adults have come to know the Lord after viewing a baptism. God can use your testimony. Don't think that it's not significant. Sharing your story of how Jesus saved you is one of the most important conversations you can have with someone. I was listening to a sermon recently, from Pastor Chip Ingram and he said, "It is not the messenger, it's the message." The message of the gospel is powerful, in and of itself, not the one who is sharing it. God can use what we think is a poorly displayed message of the truth and penetrate a hurting heart. Don't procrastinate because you are afraid of messing it up.

Perhaps, you can be motivated by the example of my parents. Do you know someone who needs encouragement to follow through with baptism or sharing their faith? I will be forever grateful to my parents for helping me let go of my procrastination. Not only was my commitment to Jesus publicized but, I have a concrete memory that is forever etched in my heart and mind of that commitment.

Let go of procrastinating! Don't delay! Get up and display your faith in Jesus Christ just as Paul was commanded to do. It's all in the power of the message.

"Jesus, thank you for my story of how you saved me from my sin. Please forgive me for not sharing my faith publicly. I let go of my procrastination to you."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

The "Turtle" – letting go of discontentment

We call it the "Turtle" but it has been called many things: demolition car, junk yard car; to name a few. It's green, tiny, beat up, uncomfortably backbreaking, and not easy to drive – but it runs. It's not pretty and it's old – but it's paid off. I may not say it out loud but, in my thoughts, I gripe and complain that I have to sit in it let alone drive it sometimes. I really want to be thankful for what I have. Usually, I don't care what I drive but for the "Turtle"... well, I just have a hard time.

Have you ever felt that you struggle with being content? Is it hard for you to see that what you have is good?

Paul claims, in Philippians 4:12, "I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need (HCSB)." So what is his secret to be content? Read on to verse 13, "I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."  God is good. He never leaves His children but when we are clouded with discontent it is harder to see His goodness. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you (HCSB)."

Look closely at these verses above. God gives us everything we need to be content:

♥ His confidence
♥ His help
♥ His strength
♥ His protection

Now, do you believe this to be true in your life? Because if you believe, than you can obtain the same attitude Paul had. No matter if you don't know how you are going to pay the hospital bills; the mortgage this month; the groceries, you have faith that God will take care of you. He never fails.

How about when things are just not satisfactory enough for you, like my "Turtle" is to me? God did provide a car for my family and it works. So, this is were it is up to me to be thankful and content with what I have. When I think of Paul and his secret to contentment (I can do all things with God's strength), I am encouraged that I can be satisfied. I can declare God is good and I can see his goodness, even in the "Turtle."

Does discontentment run your thought life? Do you really need more or better than what God has provide for you? These thoughts are the workings of the enemy. Don't let Satan twist your thoughts away from giving God glory. God is the one who has given you everything you need and the very breath in your lungs is from Him. Give Praise to God today and let go of your discontentment.

"God, thank you for your provisions in my life. You always supply everything I need. I let go of my discontentment to you and pray that I will be content with what I have."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

Mother of the Year Award – letting go of perfection

I was raised by two first born parents. The home was run with precision. Every thing had a place and always spotless. My mother: the ultimate perfectionist. When I started out, I ran my home the same way. 

After cleaning the bathroom, no one was to use it for at least a few hours. Leaving dishes in the sink was unheard of. Smudge on the car windshield – not a problem! I'd whip out my little spray bottle of glass cleaner and paper towel in the glove box, and voila! Just picture me walking from room to room straightening this or that; very happy with my self, until...

Life got messy! Not bad messy – just a husband, three kids, two ferrets, and two dogs kind of messy. I couldn't control all the smudgy finger and paw prints. I knew what I had to do. I was going to teach my family to do it right. I found myself always telling everyone what they should do and what they did wrong. While I thought I was giving helpful life training, it became evident that everyone in my home felt as though, they could never do anything right, trying to live up to my expectations. I had gone too far. No "Mother of the Year" award here!

This reminded me of Jesus' encounter with Mary and Martha.

While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” ~ Luke 10:38-42 (HCSB)

I think Martha could have been a perfectionist. You see, Martha saw that things were getting a little out of her control, when there was so much to be done; with no help from her sister. She thought that's what was important, but Mary was the one who was doing what was needed – spending time with Jesus. 

"Carol, Carol, you are worried and upset about many things." While taking good care of my home was important, I had become distracted with perfectionism. So, I let go of the breakfast dishes in the sink to have my quiet time with Jesus every morning. I let go of the kids chores not done as I would do it, when their hearts are acting in obedience. How do you think Mary felt when Martha expected her to meet up to her standards, and then called her out in front of Jesus? Don't you think Jesus was giving it back to her by calling her out in front of Mary? Jesus knew Martha's struggle with wanting things to be perfect, but this time she had gone too far. That is why He humbled her; just as I was humbled. He changed my perspective on what was most important. Even though I watched my mother be a perfectionist when it came to taking care of the home, she taught me to sit at Jesus feet; first and foremost. She wins "Mother of the Years" award!

So right here and right now; I give you permission to leave the dishes in the sink – spend time with Jesus. Take time to look at your actions toward others when they are not doing something as you would. Are you being a perfectionist? Is there something else that is more important you should be focused on? Sit at Jesus' feet. Listen to Him. After all He is perfect and will teach you, in which, to be as He is.

"Jesus, thank you for being the true perfect one. Please forgive me for not sitting at your feet and listening to you. I let go of my perfectionism to you."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014

Yummy Chips – letting go of strongholds

  “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12 (HCSB)

This verse is very thought provoking. Are there things in your life that have an unhealthy stronghold over you? The word permissible means: lawful. Even though it may not be against the law for you to do, has it mastered you? Is it hindering you?

If I have a yummy bag of chips in my cabinet, Cool Ranch Doritos; to be exact☺, I just can't resist eating the whole bag. I could buy them and eat a bag every day, if I wanted to; but I don't. I know it is not healthy for me and I struggle with self-control. This week someone bought the chips and right now they are in my cabinet – calling my name! It's a good thing my daughter has been my accountability. Every time she has seen me put something in my mouth, she slyly asks, "Mom, what are you eating?"

It may not be food for you but maybe it's a T.V. show, social media, shopping, or a relationship that you know is becoming destructive. Let's take it as far as, dangerous patterns with alcohol, pornography, and prescription drugs. Be very careful with letting the world convince you that it's acceptable to keep these inappropriate actions. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God (HCSB)." If you are struggling with when to know this is happening, seek God. Search the Scripture and pray asking Him if you need to let go of any strongholds in your life (James 4:7-8). His Spirit will let you know. Surrendering fully to the Lord, will free you from ruin. Ask someone you trust to help keep you accountable; and don't be afraid to seek professional help, if you are severely trapped. I encourage you to take action now and don't wait for regret. There are so many blessing God wants to give to you for following through in obedience.

Take a look at 1 Corinthians 6:12 again. This time substitute your stronghold in the appropriate places: “... is permissible for me,” but ... is (not) helpful. “... is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of ...."

I'm going to give you a little assignment. Open your bible to Psalm 18 and take this week to read and meditate on the whole chapter. It will help you replace your unhealthy stronghold for a righteous one.

"Heavenly Father, I ask you to forgive me for giving into temptation. Please help me let go of ... which has a stronghold over me. I give it to you. Transform my mind to discern what is good, pleasing, and your perfect will for my life."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014