Subscription Lists
W.O.W. Lifestyle (Women Of the WORD)
by Carmen Schroeder
“Mom, Bethany was desperate, so she offered me twenty dollars to help her find her game”, Caleb said as we were driving to his baby sister’s gymnastics class.
“Oh, really?”, I said.
I could tell by the tone in his voice he was about to proudly profess to me that he had indeed chose God’s best in the matter. He was what we call convinced. And I was ready to give him an attaboy!
“So, whaddya do?”, I said. Primed for his mother’s praise he said, “I told her she only had to give me ten!”
OK, now that is classic! After an inner chuckle, I asked Caleb what he thought Jesus might’ve done in that situation. With much less enthusiasm, he responded, ‘He would’ve probably told her to keep all her money and he’d help her out anyway.’ Together, we had an aha! moment...
I know what you’re thinking, the ol’ WWJD trick! Well, kind of. If we are to have the mind of Christ, shouldn’t we be thinking like Him? Far too often, however, our thinking is like that of the Pharisee of Luke 18:11: “The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself, `O God! I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, immoral, or like this tax-collector! You know, the one who unwittingly measures himself against others instead of having Christ as his Standard. How many times have you prided yourself on what you DON’T DO or what you don’t let your children do? It is quite comical that our test of holiness has come to be a list of all that we DO NOT DO instead of WHAT WE (actively and actually) DO. I am guilty of it! And I loathe that in me when the MIRROR OF HIS WORD reveals such hypocrisy!
Here is a saying you can count on: Then Yeshua addressed the crowds and his disciples: "The Torah-teachers and the Pharisees," He said, "sit in the seat of Moses. So whatever they tell you, take care to do it. But don't do what they do, because they talk but don't act!” (Matthew 23:1-3) Legalism is me-centered and ‘shuts the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces’ (Matthew 23:13,15). Love, however, is Christ-centered and opens the doors for others to receive the Gospel.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Quote of the Day: Legalism is often expressed by what one doesn't do. Love, however, is always expressed by what one does do.
Carmen enjoys encouraging other women with the life-changing Word of God through teaching, mentoring and song in conferences and workshops.
Carmen's testimony is one of victory as 1 John 5:4,5 (AMP) says: 'For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?
Her message is that this Christ is the One Who generously gives heavenly wisdom for victorious living.
Email Carmen directly to discuss an article OR stop by and visit her new Women of the Word blog here!
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "W.O.W. Lifestyle (Women Of the WORD)" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.