Inspired by . . . the just and the unjust

I know that many of my {blog} readers do not read fiction of any kind, let alone romantic fiction and you all have valid reasons for not doing so. However, there is good, Christian fiction (yes, even romantic fiction) out there that not only provides a good storyline but solid biblical lessons as well.

I was recently reminded of this as I was re-reading Lori Wick's Yellow Rose Trilogy. I can't believe it has been nearly twenty years since I read these stories for the first time! Yet despite the fact that these stories were written twenty years ago and are even based in the late 1800's, the spiritual questions and struggles the characters face are still relevant today.

Don't you just love that about God?

Whether we're sweeping the cold, stone floors of a Scottish castle in 1501, walking through the dust of a hot Texas afternoon to use the privy out back in 1882, or typing out a blog post on our laptop computer in 2017, God's word is relevant and true.

He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Not only that, but His word is living and active. Meaning it is capable of constantly teaching us new things. I am so far away from knowing everything there is to know about God. Every day, as I meet with Him, He teaches me new things about Himself and new things about myself! Sometimes hard, yet always wondrous, lessons!

Case in point; one of Lori Wick's characters, Dakota, is a new Christian whose parents are not yet Christians. After a brief exchange with his parents, Dakota realizes how blessed their marriage is, which leads him to question whether God blesses non-Christians as well as Christians.

We're not talking about worldly blessings here, like money or a "happy" life, etc. We're talking about true blessings from God. Like a good, loving marriage. Or Godly gifts, like wisdom, etc. Does God bestow His blessing on those who have not accepted His Son? [click to tweet]

Yes, He does. I'm sure you've seen the evidence of this throughout your life. Maybe you even experienced it before you became a Christian. Perhaps you're experiencing His blessings now and you're not a Christian.

Matthew 5:45 tells us:  For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:45)

I have a confession to make; I've been reading this scripture wrong and out of context the entire time! I've been focused on myself and the rain in my life rather than on a God Who loves so completely and so fully that He blesses and dies for His enemies.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1Pe 3:18)

I've been viewing myself as just (which I am only because of Jesus) rather than remembering my evil and unjust state before I accepted Jesus as my Savior.

The fact that He would use a fictional character in a Christian romance novel to enlighten me to the truth of His word is astounding to me.

But then I am reminded that Jesus is the Master Storyteller. [click to tweet] He used parables to convey His message when He walked this earth and He is still using stories, your story and my story, to spread His gospel today. Whether the stories we write about are imagined or experienced matters little.

What matters is that we use our stories to praise and glorify Him. [click to tweet]

Are you a storyteller?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Inspired by . . . remember who you are

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2Ti 4:1-4)

I just finished Andrew Peterson's trilogy, The Wingfeather Saga. I have to be honest, I almost didn't order book two and three. Don't get me wrong, it was an excellent story and I enjoyed it immensely. But reading uses something that is precious to all of us: time. 

After finishing book one I wondered if perhaps my time was better spent reading non-fiction or, better yet, my Bible, rather than a fantasy adventure written primarily for young adults. 

All this Texas Spiny Lizard is missing is his wings.

But God uses many people and many ways to communicate His truths. Now that I've finished the saga, I'm glad I spent my time reading this delightful story. Not only was it a measure of self-care, time spent simply doing something I enjoy, but I was reminded of a few faith-building lessons along the way.

"Remember who you are." Thus says Nia Wingfeather to her three children every day when she drops them off at school. You see the Wingfeather children are not just ordinary children. They are The Jewels of Anniera; sons, and daughter of the High King.

But the Wingfeather's world isn't any more perfect than ours. When people come against them with lies and half-truths, anger and violence, they will need to remember who they are. And so their mother reminds them, every day.

They are sons and daughters of the King.

So are we.

And just like for the Wingfeathers that means we respond differently when people come against us, our families and our beliefs.

Sometimes it means not saying what we want to say, and doing what we want to do. It means responding {or not} according to the ways of the Kingdom rather than the ways of the world. It means being prepared "in season and out of season" to tell others about our King and His glorious Kingdom. To extend the invitation of inheritance to all.

The Wingfeather children face some dark days. The middle child, Tink, struggles with his identity and purpose. To help him, his brother, Janner, makes him repeat aloud his name and who he is. Doing so keeps Tink focused on the truth and on his purpose.

Perhaps your current circumstances or the tragic and disheartening things happening in our world have left you feeling confused, and fearful. Maybe even hopeless.

Remember who you are. Remember Who you belong to. Remember Who you represent.

Repeat it to yourself.

My name is _________________. I am a son/daughter of the King.

Maybe you even need to say it out loud.

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Let Us Walk Worthy,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends