Hear No Evil - See No Evil - Speak No Evil

First - I am sorry for the delay in posting. I have been traveling across 3 different time zones over the last 4 weeks. One of the places I was located at was Las Vegas which reminded me of lessons my Mom taught me. My Mother is so funny. Growing up, anytime my sister or I would gossip or speak negatively she would hold her ears and say, “Stop! You are hurting my ears! I don’t want that stuff in my head!” She would tell us to be very careful what we let into our mind because we can never get it out and it can morph who we are and how we see ourselves. That has stuck with me. Things we see or hear on TV, Netflix, YouTube, movies, radio, Spotify, or music of any kind can shape our mood, our mind, and how we view ourselves. Even in this environment where we are shaping strong educated women, so much of the music on the radio speaks about women as insignificant pieces of meat that are only appreciated for how they look or how they “perform.”

[Disclaimer: There are many, many wonderful people in Las Vegas and there are Las Vegas places in every state.]

I can’t imagine being exposed to the strip in Las Vegas day in and day out. Business cards for women in prostitution, alcohol and encouragement to drink until you are drunk, shops everywhere with shoes and accessories that cost the same price as feeding a small village, women dancing on tables, showgirls walking the streets with very little covering their body, music that devalues women, X-rated shows that have people lined around the building to view, people so drunk they can’t walk, and of course the excessive spending in the casinos. Saying this, outside of the strip in Las Vegas there are amazing places that would seem very “normal” in comparison. I am not judging, because I sin every day. I am simply saying how difficult it is to draw near to God when the devil has placed his foothold so strong. Sin is all encompassing in Las Vegas which is where the name, “sin city” likely came from. Things that people would likely never feel is appropriate, is desensitized when you see so many other people engaging in sin. Christian thoughts and lifestyle becomes the minority.

I actually had a great time there with my daughter, but she influenced me and I influenced her to stay near to God. Stay pure. Be kind to everyone regardless of the lifestyle a person has chosen to engage. Love everyone. I found that people were drawn to our joy, but I don’t think they were drawn to us, I think they were drawn to the light, God, in us.

Many Christians are told so often that they are sinners saved by grace, which is true, that sometimes we go too far the other way and think we can't keep from sinning at all! Charles Stanley ask his congregation these questions...

Do you think you can keep from sinning for a month?

Do you think you can keep from sinning for a week?

Do you think you can keep from sinning for a day?

Do you think you can keep from sinning for 5 minutes?

Many likely said no to all of these, but YES YOU CAN! Let's at least try. It took you 5 minutes to read this. I bet you didn't sin in those 5 minutes. :) WE can't be perfect, but we can be as Christ centered as we possibly can and fortunately, if we do mess up, we have a God that promises grace and forgiveness. A clean slate! Thank you God!

God promises over and over if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us, purify our hearts and bring us peace and joy. We draw near to God by reading His words in the Bible daily, praying, meditating, and having friends that hold you accountable.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!”

James 4:8 HCSB

“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.”

Hebrews 10:22 HCSB

God gives us hope! Not only does he promise that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us, but also he tells us the following in Jeremiah!

“You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” — this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”

Jeremiah 29:12-14 HCSB

Announcement: I have a friend and colleague that has agreed to write a blog every once in a while for Vitamin J!!! Her name is Andrea Buchmeier. If anyone else would like to write a blog, please let me know.

Have a great week!

Love,

Crystal