What does it mean to be a Christian?

What does it mean when I say that I am a Christian? I recently met someone who calls herself a Christian, but nothing in her life points to that. Now, before you get all crazy on me.....I am not judging this person or anyone else. It just made me think about what it means to be a Christian. What do I believe? Why?

I have some answers. My answers. Agree or disagree, that's up to you. If you are going to get offended, please stop reading now. If you have questions, ask. I would love nothing more than to see each and every one of you in Heaven someday.

So, how do we get there? There is only one way. To get your ticket through the pearly gates, all you have to do is accept the gift that has been freely offered to you through the blood of Jesus Christ.

How do you do that? It's so easy, you won't believe it! All you have to do is acknowledge that you (and I and every other person on this planet) are a sinner in need of a Savior. That Jesus, the one and only son of God, was born of a virgin and died on a cross to pay for your sins. That he rose on the third day, he ascended into Heaven, and He sits at the right hand of the Father, and that He is going to return someday. Believe that and invite God to live in you and to reign over your life. Done. Ticket has been bought and paid for and you will spend eternity with the Creator of the Universe.

But it doesn't stop there. Sure, you bought your ticket, but what are you going to do now? If you really believe that Jesus created you and died for you and that He loves you, what are you going to do about it? First, you need to have a relationship with Him. How do you get to know someone? You talk to them. So, talk to Him through prayer. Let Him talk to you through His Word (the Bible). Spend time with Him every day. In doing so, you will develop a relationship unlike any human relationship you have ever known. You will want to be more like Him. You will want to follow His commands.

I believe that every single word in the Bible is true. Some would argue that the Bible was written by man and man makes mistakes. This is true, but we know that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to remind His disciples of what He said. The Bible may be written by man but it is Holy Spirit inspired and the Holy Spirit does not make mistakes.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, I also believe in Him. I believe in the Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is individual, yet they are all one. Maybe that's a hard concept to grasp, but that's ok. I also believe that there are some things we are not supposed to understand. Not yet anyway.

I believe in Heaven. I believe that everyone who has accepted Christ as their savior will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. On the flip side, I also believe in Hell. This goes back to believing that everything in the Bible is true. The Bible tells us that if we do not accept the gift of salvation, we will spend eternity in Hell. Read Revelation if you want to know more about that.

There has never been a decision more important than the one I made when I decided  to follow Jesus for the rest of my life. Not getting married, not having kids, not buying a house, not joining the military, nothing. I am still a sinner. I still fail. Being a Christian is not easy. But, God never said it would be. He did say "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I pray that anyone who has known me for more than 10 minutes, can see Christ in me. I want my life to point to the Father in everything I do. I am nothing without my faith. When I call myself a Christian, I know that I am representing the one true God. I can only pray that I do that well.

Please, if you have any questions about God or how to get to Heaven, please ask. If I don't have the answer, I will find someone who does. I love you all!

Debbi

Marriage

James and I are getting ready to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Actually, it's still more than 2 months away but we have been talking about it forever. We are both really excited! It's fun to look back at the last 15 years and see how far we have come. From 2 single airman living in dorm rooms to a family of 5 with 2 houses. We have been through all the ups and downs that can be expected in 15 years and we are stronger for it.

Or, are we? That's the question keeping me awake at night lately. I have always thought that our marriage was the kind that could withstand anything. We are a great team and we can take on the world, as long as we're together. Right? Nothing to worry about?

Hmmmm.........What if that is exactly what Satan wants us to think? Maybe he wants us to get comfortable in our marriages. Maybe he wants us to believe that we are the exception. That nothing and nobody could tear us apart. Maybe he is waiting for us to put our guard down before he strikes!

I have to admit that there is an incident that put me on this path. Nothing happened!! James was in a work situation where he and a female deputy were transporting inmates. Of course, everything was very professional and nothing happened, but it got me thinking. What if? James assured me that they are in constant radio contact with the station, but that didn't make me feel any better. I am not naive. I know that "things" can be done in a moving vehicle.

Is that just my own insecurity? Or, is it the Holy Spirit? I trust my husband completely, but I do not trust Satan at all! What if he tried to use a situation like that to lure James into a trap? Or the female who is also married? What if?

I think, that as a society, we need to do more to protect our marriages! Why didn't anyone else think about that situation? Why isn't there a rule about male and female deputies being alone together? What about her husband? How does he feel about this? Don't people understand that Satan hates seeing good, Christian marriages? That the evil one has come to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Satan wants to steal our happiness, kill our marriages, and destroy our families!

I guess, what I am trying to say, is that I am on guard. Satan, you don't stand a chance! You can play on my insecurities and my weaknesses all you want, but you won't win! My marriage is strong and getting stronger every day!

The last 15 years were just the beginning for our family. I am looking forward to 50 or 60 or more years to come. Years to grow and love together. To meet grandchildren and great grandchildren together. To travel and experience all of God's goodness together.

Please, treat your marriages as the holy and intimate unions that they are intended to be. Stay on guard at all times. Don't get too comfortable. Satan is lurking in the dark shadows, waiting for his opportunity to pounce. Don't give it to him!

Ephesians 5:21-33

²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸ In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body. ³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” ³² This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

 As always, the Bible gives great instructions. These verses paint a picture of what a Christian marriage should look like. Following God's instruction is always a great way to keep Satan away. 

Now, I am going to go get our room ready for our new bed (our anniversary present to each other). Could there be any better way to prepare for all of the "memories" that we still get to make ;-) ??

Debbi