Voice of the Martyrs

Today I would like to share an organization that God has really put on my heart. It is called Voice of the Martyrs and it is an organization that reaches the persecuted Christians around the world. It is an ever humbling organization that makes you really think of what it means to take up the cross even if it means losing everything.

It has not only given me a heart to help others and to be a servant but it has truly humbled me and convicted me. There are days that I pray and read some verses on my iphone or browse my bible. But, as ashamed as I am of saying this, there are few times where I read in an in depth matter. My goal is to read as much as possible this summer and to start reading a chapter a day...now.

Many times we take our bibles for granted. Yet, being in His word is the most important thing we can do and unfortunately there are people in other countries that long for God's word in their language or have to keep their bibles in secret in fear of being harmed for it.

So I would just love if whoever is reading this to take some time out and visit: http://www.persecution.com/
Please keep these individuals and families in your prayers. Glory to God!

God Bless.
Love, Melanie

Talkin' Bout the Benjamins.....

Okay, so that is a Puff Daddy or P Diddy or whatever he is called....it's one of his songs but it came to mind when I thought of a problem that I have dealt with and deal with at times and I know many women (actually PEOPLE) deal with as Christians. One of God's commandments is Thall Shall Not Covet. I never thought about that commandment until  I was truly saved. I have always wanted things and enjoyed shopping (what girl doesn't) but when I was truly saved I realized how much of a serious problem it is. You see, we are all programmed to the world in a way. Society has created these standards to which we feel we need to meet. I guess it all started when I began working as a teacher for the first time. I began to see cute things that other people had or I would watch shows that enhanced my desire to be more like someone else or to have more things. It is something I still struggle with today. Yet, I now realized that when it creates a desire to focus more on my self and to covet, that is where it can become more of a sin and less just wanting to have fun. I felt extremely convicted last week and since this is a blog about helping other Christian women who face similar issues, I will share it. Last week, I had a list of needs and a list of wants. I bought all of my needs and then I quickly bought all the items on my wants....again not necessarily a bad thing but then it turned into spending close to 300 on ME! It was not a holiday, I had been shopping three weeks before and it was just because I wanted it. This is where harmless fun shopping turns into sin. My goal when I made our budget for the month was to sign up to sponsor a Compassion kid. Compassion is an organization that helps poverty stricken children in third world countries that is gospel centered. Well instead of helping a child and spreading the gospel, I spend all of the money on myself! It makes me cringe as I write this but I am so thankful for the Lord convicting me and putting this on my heart. Joey and I have been trying to have a new perspective financially. Before, we hoped to move to a bigger house one day, buy brand new fancy cars, and just get to what is considered the "American Dream." Now that God has truly changed our hearts, everything has changed. We want to pay off any debt we have and still live comfortably but give more to others and live a humble life. None of deserve to even live comfortably for we have all broken God's law and fall short. But through repentance and trusting in Christ, we are giving a chance....we are saved from the wrath that we truly deserve. So I guess I am writing this so that we all can reexamine what it is in our lives that tends to control us sometimes more than the Lord does. I ask for prayer with my own battle (which may seem humorous and so little) so that I may grow more in Christ and not in my worldly desires. I will be praying for you dear friends and please feel free to comment for any prayer needs!

I am off to read and no it is not going to be a catalog tonight....it will be a book on submission to your husband! :)

Love,
Mel