Yes, I may be reading the Bible. Yes, I’m a lot nicer and more polite to my siblings. I’ve been getting better at honoring my parents. But my heart’s not right.
Yesterday we were all singing praise songs. I felt sad and moody and I could hardly sing because I was worried I would burst out crying! What happened? Exactly nothing!
I didn’t feel right. Now you may chalk it up to me only being able to play mandolin for one song. Maybe. But it felt bigger than that, like a stone in my stomach and a bees-nest in my head.
I thought back on the week. I only read the Bible when I had time. I still have a bit of a temper and a habit of acting quickly without thinking (even though I didn’t have bad intentions.)
I wrote this on my vision board last week. I had no idea how much I’d need it.
“Start with your heart.”
I was trying to do all the things, but my heart wasn’t in it. If Yeshua had come back during singing, what would he have found me doing? Sitting on my butt feeling sorry for myself?! Worrying about the future?! That’s not the way I want to live.
Take a pause. Are you trying to do ‘all the things’, but your heart isn’t in it? Are you exhausted from trying to be someone you’re not? Are you disillusioned or depressed with working and striving and never stopping to think about the whys?
I want to live each day like it’s my last. I need my heart to be soft and my spirit willing to do WHATEVER! I need to stop in the tough moments and take it to Yahweh. I need to give Yahweh the very best of myself and my abilities. Obedience. Hard work. Patience. A loving and soft heart.
As a huge milestone in my life approaches (my 16th birthday) I’m worried I won’t be ready or mature enough to deserve it, to shoulder the responsibility and the change that comes with it. I had so many goals for my 16th year, goals I haven’t completed, won’t be able to complete anytime soon.
It has to remind me to be worthy of each and every single day that God gives me. To use my time wisely, down to every hour. To live like each day is my last. When I feel Yahweh asking me, “What have you been doing, daughter?” I want to be able to confidently answer, “The work of The Lord.”
BeautifulYou Tip: Start with your Heart. Focus on the best and only reason to have inner beauty and a strong faith – Yahweh. Get yourself right with God … He’s coming back soon!
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
Mathew 25:13, NKJV
I took a pause that day. I didn’t like what I saw in my life. I didn’t like that I wasn’t in it with my whole heart. So I started right then to fix my heart. I know it’s not going to happen right away – it’s going to take time. But I am going to do it. I won’t live a superficial life of exhaustion and striving. I’m going to love Yahweh my Elohim with ALL of my heart and soul and mind and strength.
Yah's Girl 
This really spoke to me! Thank you! 💕😊
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Oh, that makes me SO glad!! 💖🥰
Yah bless!!
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💕💕😊
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Amazing post! Keep up the good work!…Also, thanks for the honesty. 🙂
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Thank you!! 🤗
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Your amazing! This was touching as well!
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Aww, thanks!! YOU’RE awesome, gurl!! 😂😉
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Thanks!!!
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Thank you so much for sharing this! I really needed it today! Keep on living for Jesus, Makayla! 💕
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Aw, your welcome Noelle!!🌸
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I guess ive been struggling to…. Sin is just horrible. I realize that I’m doing things not because they are right and just to God, but because I’m trying to prove that I do belong as a Christian. It all boils down to where is my heart really at w all this? And I realize I don’t want to fail people. I also noticed that I am a people pleaser. Always have been… I don’t know why, but I am. I care a lot. And it’s put a blockade in my faith. I change the way I am for some people and it’s wrong. I pray about it too… But I don’t know I just.. My hearts not really in it. Anyway…lol
I’m Reformed Baptist! What denomination r u?
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Yes! It’s so good you’re doing some of that introspective thinking, because that’s the first step towards action! It’s always important to think about where your heart is, good for you! 💕 Pleasing people is tiring and never ends, but pleasing God by taking on his yoke is freeing because “His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.”
Well, I don’t consider myself to fit into any one denomination. I study the Bible to see how I should live as a believer. I believe the WHOLE Bible is true, and applicable to my life today. I want to obey God in everything, so I search for His commands in Scripture so that I can obey them. As for a few things I’m passionate about, I believe there is only one God who never changes, Jesus is the Messiah, and that we can be freed from the consequences of sin (eternal death) through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and in walking out our faith. So, yeah! 😂 Long explanation, but that’s what I believe in a nutshell. 🤗💗
Thanks for commenting!
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Fs. But I have a question tho. I am a reformed baptist because of how I believe the Bible is interpreted. Ofc everything in the Bible is true! But like baptism for instance… My church believes in believers baptism. Not infant baptism like the Presbyterians. The Bible commands us to go to church, so I (and my family) choose the church that I (we) go to based on how we interpret scripture. That is why I go a Reformed baptist church. Do u go to a non denom church then?
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Well, I actually attend a home church/bible study group, with around 7 steady attending families!! We all take turns hosting, and while we’re gathered together we sing worship songs (many of us play instruments too) and read the Bible. While we do the reading, everyone reads several verses, then the person next to them reads some, and that way we’re all studying together. We often break to discuss what the scripture means and offer ideas. In the past we have often eaten a shared dinner together as well, and spend the rest of the evening playing sports or talking. It’s SOO fun and amazing, and I’ve met some great friends through our close-knit group, and learned so much!! The main connecting factor between all of our families is that we all search for the truth in the Bible, and its wonderful when we all agree!! We haven’t all met in a while, although we will enjoy getting together in the future!!
Totally! I was baptized last summer … I felt like I was ready to take on the responsibility of my walk with God! I agree … infants aren’t capable of making big spiritual decisions! People should know that they don’t need to get baptized right away, but when they’re ready … absolutely! It’s a pretty big responsibility.
I don’t know much about Reformed Baptists! 😅 What are some of the aspects of your faith that you and your family are passionate about?
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We hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession. It’s a summation of the Bible and what we hold to. The Bible is #1 but underneath the Bible is the Confession. Um, we believe in Calvinism, which means Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. We believe in believers baptism. We have communion every week (not a reformed thing, but a church thing. We also have wine and bread), we have church EVERY Sunday. Did you know that you are in sin if you don’t go to church? I can pull up some verses. I don’t mean to say that you r in sin, not at all, but it sounds more like a Bible study then church. So if you believe in believers baptism then you do hold to some denomination, correct? Because obviously you disagree with the Presbyterians.
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Hmmm, I have never seen a verse that says I am “in sin” if I do not go to church. I know that the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us in chapter 10, verse 25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” I agree that it certainly is fulfilling to gather together, but if you could provide some verses stating that it is a SIN not to attend church, I would greatly appreciate that! 😊
But it is important to bear in mind that in the early development of Christianity, “church” WAS a bible study. People met in each other’s homes at that time. A church “building” was a later development.
Well, I was raised in a Christian household. “Denominations” aren’t important to me. What IS important to me, is that I seek truth. For example, ‘believer’s baptism’. I don’t mind if you use theological terms, but I don’t use them, because to me, Scriptural concepts are black and white. An idea is either truth, or not truth. The concept of “believing, and THEN being baptized”, is something that even Jesus himself exemplified, so I will accept it as truth. 😊
I would have to say, that if I had to have a faith statement, I would simply say, “I’m a believer in the God of the Bible, that Jesus was the Messiah and that through Him all can be saved, and that God’s Word is true and never changes!” That pretty much sums it up!
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One of the commandments is to honor the sabbath day and keep it holy. It’s a commandment. Any commandment that we don’t follow is considers a sin. In the Bible they (Israelites, Christians, whatever) met in synogaugs. That was a historical example. Jesus went to temples (the gatherings their we’re not “Bible studies” but they were churches). The church is the bride of Christ and the individuals make up the body of Christ. How can the hand (this is just an example, like ya know the body of Christ) say to the body I don’t want to move. It can’t. Why don’t you go to church? I’m just curious. The elders of a church give out the holy sacraments. By the way you ARE in sin if you do not take communion. I can provide biblical verses. I have a pastor, and he preaches every sermon in our church. The Lords day is on Sunday.
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Sorry about the late response! I didn’t see this. *facepalm* I’ll try to address all your points. 😄
I agree, the term “bible study” isn’t found in scripture! One thing worth mentioning, is where the origin of the word “church” came from. The Greek words “kiryakos” (meaning “belonging to the Lord”) and the Greek word “ecclesia” (meaning “assembly”) are often BOTH translated as “church”. (Etymologically, “kiryakos” became “kirk”, which became “church”.) I think that the group of believers that we are referring to as the “church” (the new testament congregations) would be more specifically referred to as the “assembly of believers” or “those who belong to the Lord.” 🙂
There are many reasons I don’t go to church! One of them is because I feel that I am personally responsible for my faith. While I know I can certainly learn from others, I think that God would also want me to study the Bible for myself, and do my own research to try and learn what is most true and scripturally accurate. Although I may occasionally go to a place called “a church”, for VBS or a social gathering, I don’t make it a regular practice. Sometimes, though, our family will listen to and study recordings of pastors or online teachers. They can be very interesting. 😊
I’d like to see those verses about being in sin if I don’t take communion. Could you show them to me?
Why do you say that the Lord’s Day is on Sunday? When you say “The Lord’s Day”, do you mean the day that Jesus resurrected on, or the sabbath day?
Blessings!
Makayla
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Thanks for answering!
What is “church ” to you then? I would say that a church consists of “the called out ones”, elders, deacons, The Lords supper, and baptism. (I can provide verses if needed) Luke 22:19 ESV says:
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus is telling them to “do” this in remembered everything of me. A command. In the part where you talk about reasons that you don’t go to church I’d like to say that the situation is a both and not an easy her or. You ought to read the bible and go to church, not one or the other. Elders, deacons, etc. are very biblical. Reading biblical history you can clearly see that they had these things in church. We ought to worship God to, right? Like in song, and communion. Praying is also a form of worship. But to be together and being taught by a pastor is very very biblical. I can provide verses also. I’m sorry I cannot be more clear, lol, I’m not the most biblically informed, but I have been reading the bible everyday. We also should not just read the bible and interpret it based on feeling. We should learn from people and see why they believe that. Not just interpret ourselves and have that be okay. We cannot pick and choose. Some verses are more clear then others but we should want to learn from others and see why they believe some of the things that they do.
The word “The Lords day” is mentioned one time in the bible. It is in revelation verse 1:10, it says, ” It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.”
When Paul says the lords day he is talking about a specific day. Not any ordinary day. The reason why we rest (go to church do worship, etc) on the seventh day is because God did. And I mean the day that he resurrected.
I hope that cleared up a bit. Please, ask more questions bcs I learn as I defend my argument to other people. I know I’m not the best at explaining. I would really like for my pastor to chat with you bcs he is better at this then me, lol!
Hope all is well,
Maycee
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Hello again, Maycee!
Well, in the way that people use the word “church” today, I see them using it to mean 1. a place, 2. the believers within their denomination, and 3. all the believers in the world. The term is so ambiguous in culture that it really depends upon the situation to be able to tell exactly what someone is referring to! (Personally, I don’t often use the term “church” with people, because to most people, it means church building, and I’m not normally talking about a building! XD)
Hmmm, yes, that’s very interesting about what you said about Jesus commanding the disciples to “do” the breaking of bread, etc, in remembrance. I should definitely do some study on that.
I absolutely agree with elders, and also the reading or the Bible, worship, and assembling together – and we do all that in our bible study! The “elders” in our group consist of all the men with families who want to share their voices in the group, although we’ve never termed them “elders”! We just understand that the men, as the leaders of their families, have a spiritual responsibility for their families, and so we all get together so they can talk about and resolve issues or disagreements.
Could you please provide verses/passages that support your opinion on the practice of being taught by a pastor?
Absolutely! My journey has been ALL about learning from others! 😊 And I agree, picking and choosing verses is something that always makes me shake my head! I love seeing biblical support for people’s statements!
Thank you for providing that verse in Revelations! After doing a little bit of study on that verse, I realized that the words “day of the Lord” are actually found many other times in scripture! (a few examples being Isaiah 13:6, Joel 1:15, Obadiah 1:15, and Malachi 4:5.) One thing in common between all these verses, is that they were all written within the context of the “day of the Lord” being the triumphant return, when He will come once and for all to judge the earth .. which is exactly what the whole book of Revelations is talking about. So that’s pretty cool! After that study, I would guess that when John (who wrote Revelations) says “Lord’s Day”/”Day of the Lord”, he means that while he was in the spirit, he observed the events that would happen on the Day of the Lord. (As opposed to it referring to the actual day when John had the vision.) Sorry, that might be a little confusing to read! 😂
So, are you saying that you worship on the seventh day of the week? And to you, what day of the week is the seventh day? (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc…)
Absolutely, Maycee! I enjoy this kind of discussion as well! 🤗
Makayla
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In the OT they held church on On the Seventh day because they were told to do that. But when the NT was writin the apostles started to have church on Sunday (the first day of the week). I’m sorry that I said we have church on the seventh day, my thoughts are like stars that I cannot fathom into constellations, lol.
But seriously when someone says church, what does that mean to you? I do NOT believe that church is a building. Lollll. The church is the body of Christ, a people. But within that people their are deacons elders etc.
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
(Elders are the pastors of the church)
1 Peter 5:1-4
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
(This text is specifically pertaining to the elders//pastors)
As to church I don’t nor believe that culture should dictate what the actual definition of the church is. I would assume you don’t believe that earthier…?
As to Revelation, you are so right! I meant stated that exact way, The Lords Day. Lol. But was he not talking about a specific day? I believe so!!
I hope your are having a blessed day,
Maycee
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*I absolutely agree with elders, and also the reading OF the Bible … sorry about that, typo. I meant “of”, but I typed “or”. 😊
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