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She Will Wear White

She Will Wear White

Pornography, deception, gambling, addiction, theft, murder. Sounds like words used to describe the latest crime novel. Unfortunately, these same words could be used to describe any number of raging church scandals across the globe.

As you read the headlines and your heart pours out in tears, you may be tempted to storm Heaven’s gates and demand an answer to "when will it stop!" And you would be well within reason. Been there.

But there was a moment when Spirit spoke to spirit and I heard “The Bride of Christ will not be defiled”. I stopped to reflect on those words and weighed them against words of Scripture.
“…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”

In our free will, we are given the freedom to cause harm to ourselves and as a result we hurt others because the fact of the matter is we are not alone. What we do in the privacy of our homes, does have a ripple effect on all those in our lives. And when those of us who practice in darkness are members of the Church body, especially in positions of authority, God will not tolerate it.

The Father loves His Son. His Son paid a high ransom for His Bride and She will not be defiled in any manner by anyone.  If there is anyone who has attached himself or herself to His Bride who needs the cleansing, healing balm of light…they will be exposed. Thankfully, Father God loves us too. He will not bring shame onto the repentant. He is the Surgeon who removes and the Healer who brings wholeness.

It is only those who refuse to see and are blind because of darkness that God chooses to expose in the most shocking of circumstances.

The next time there is a report of abuse within the Church, I will give thanks. I will give thanks that I turn to Him quickly when He reveals my sin to me. And I will give thanks that God will not tolerate any harm that threatens His Bride. 

“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water throughthe word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church,without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Eph 5:25-27 




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Thursday, June 05, 2014 | Read more...
June Word Association: Bride

June Word Association: Bride


We’re doing a little word association here at Daily Fast Fuel for the month of June. This week we will muse over the word BRIDE. Scripture tells us that “bride” is used to describe us for Christ, whether individually or as a whole – The Church. 

Consider this your invitation to join us every day as we write about what being a BRIDE means to us! No need to RSVP or bring gifts. We’ll hold space for you. 





Lisa Arnold is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go. 
Monday, June 02, 2014 | Read more...
I Heard a Bird Say Shalom

I Heard a Bird Say Shalom

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…” (John 14:27)

For me personally, peace is a matter of trust. If I do not feel peace, I know I am not trusting God. As a matter of fact, I will be so bold as to say I am calling Him a liar.

 “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sownor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Do not worry says Papa God. 

But, but, but, but...?

We’re human, so anxious feelings bubble to the surface and we begin to take note and make lists. Here’s a sampling of mine recently:
  • “Will the new-to-us van be reliable?”
  • "Will the school nurse call again?"
  • "Will my husband ever be able to quit smoking?"
  • "What if I lose my part time job?"
Anxiety is a complete absence of peace. The sooner I let these festering thoughts go, peace can rush in.

Hear me out. There is a difference between fear which causes anxiety and concern which causes action. God's truth is not a reason to live carelessly. I should never worry about what or when God will provide because Scripture says birds “neither sow nor reap”. But you have never seen a bird sit idly by and decide Papa God would do the nest building. God provides resources and we must do the work when able.

What I’m talking about is when bad news looms and we have actual cause for concern.  Some time ago our daughter was tested for Cystic Fibrosis and the days we had to wait for an answer could have been very painful. However, I chose to lean in on the God who formed her in my womb and knows her appointed time on this temporary home called Earth.  I had to make a decision to trust God, that He would place every resource available in our path to keep our daughter well.

It was only then that the peace which transcends all understanding, made our wait bearable.  Thankfully, our little girl’s story is continuing to unfold without a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.

I know not all stories have great news, but all have a great God. Somehow in His mysterious perfection, He is always able to take a cross and ultimately change lives.


May the Peace of Christ be with you my friend.


Lisa Arnold is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 | Read more...
When "Good Enough" is not Enough

When "Good Enough" is not Enough

One of the more difficult teachings to communicate to those trying to understand Christianity is God’s complete Holiness and our need for sanctification. A common response is usually “but I’m a good person” and then proceed to compare themselves to Hitler or Stalin. “At least I’m not as bad as them!”

Yes, I am thankful you’re not.

The problem with this line of thinking is that the frame of reference is off. We tend to look at the world from our vantage point. And why not? After all, that is our default position. But it’s not God’s perspective.

I love how my pastor once described a story of a farmer who painted his massive barn white. During the Summer months, the white paint stood out in stark contrast to the lush green of the sprawling farm. Driving through the countryside you could see this beauty from a distance. Spectacular sight indeed.

Oh, and the Fall? Wow. The white would stand as an impressive backdrop for the changing colors that brushed the landscape. You would have a difficult challenge finding a more beautiful scene.

Now imagine the Winter and the first snow to lay against the barn walls. Nobody ever noticed the barn had many places that weren't so white until the purity from heavenly skies brought proper perspective.  The white of the barn didn't look so white anymore.

Isn't that the same for us and Jesus?

When an individual stops comparing themselves to what or who surrounds them and starts comparing themselves to Jesus, only then do we have proper viewpoint. God’s perspective.  A person’s “good enough” is not enough when placed against the perfect standard. Yes, the white we see is not truly white.

How then will one ever measure up to perfection?

The gift is this: When we accept that Christ stands in for us, God sees righteousness.

Because...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)
 "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins." (Rom 3:23-24 NLT)

...Please put down that paintbrush. Jesus said "It is finished".


Lisa Arnold is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go. 
Tuesday, April 08, 2014 | Read more...