Does That Make Me a Rebel?

By Andrea Merrell

 

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

No white after Labor Day. Who came up with that rule? Does anyone still follow it? I think it went out the window when women started wearing—or almost wearing—cropped tops, plunging necklines, see-through dresses, hot pants … well, you get the picture. At some point, society decided anything goes.

 

Some Southerners may still follow the no-white rule. I don’t. I love dark shirts and sweaters with white pants, so I wear them year-round. Does that make me a rebel?

The Bible compares rebellion to witchcraft. Yikes! That’s a hard pill to swallow, right? But rebellion against God versus rebellion against the norm is a whole different animal.

What the world may classify as acceptable, God sees as sin: lying, stealing, cheating, slander, abuse, homosexuality, addiction … the list goes on. When we go against the world’s standards, we’re seen as weird, Bible-thumping, right-winged radicals who refuse to go along with the status quo. In reality, that’s exactly what God expects from His children. The only rules we are to follow—along with the governing laws of the land—are those He has set forth in His Word. And obedience brings blessings.

Trying to fit in with the crowd is never a good idea. The Bible calls us a peculiar people. That means we’re to be different … lights shining brightly in a dark world, pointing the way to Jesus.

When I’m wearing my white pants in December, the world may call me a rebel. But that’s okay as long as God sees me as His obedient child.

How about you?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and renjith krishnan.)

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Trying to fit in with the crowd is never a good idea. We’re to be different … lights shining brightly in a dark world, pointing the way to Jesus. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Rebellion Is Not Just a Kid Thing

By Andrea Merrell

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,

And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

1 Samuel 15:23

My young granddaughter narrowed her eyes, balled her fists, and refused to budge. It was obvious she was not going to do as she was told.

But as I watched, I saw myself and thought about all the times I have stubbornly disobeyed God or ignored His instructions altogether.

Rebellion comes in many forms, and God puts it in the same category as witchcraft ... His words, not mine.

Our carnal nature goes to work as soon as we enter this world, and it doesn’t stop just because we get past the terrible twos. Body language says a lot to others. As we get older, we might learn to hide our true feelings from those around us, but we can’t fool God. He looks at the heart. He sees the bad attitudes and hears our negative, rebellious thoughts.

Working out our own salvation, putting off the old man and putting on the new, and renewing our minds is a lifelong process. It begins with a decision and requires commitment, determination, and dedication. But with Holy Spirit guidance, we can overcome our selfish, rebellious attitudes and replace them with attitudes that honor and glorify God.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Goldy.)

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Rebellion is not just a kid thing, but with Holy Spirit guidance, we can overcome selfish, rebellious attitudes and replace them with attitudes that honor and glorify God. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Beauty Out of Ashes by Andrea Merrell

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. 

Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

If there’s anything I’ve learned in my Christian walk, it’s that God does not waste a single thing. Whatever the enemy means for evil and destruction, God can turn around and work for good in the lives of those called according to His purpose.

The problem is the fact that we don’t see the big picture when we’re in the midst of the fiery flames of adversity. All we want is a way of escape, which God has promised in His Word (see I Corinthians 10:13).

Over eighteen years ago, both my son and daughter rebelled and dove headlong into a life of drugs and alcohol. My husband and I had done all we could to raise our children in a godly environment. We were devastated and didn’t know what to do or where to turn. What we discovered is this: even good kids rebel, and even good parents can end up with a prodigal—or in our case, two.

When I felt God nudging me to write my story, it was difficult re-living many of the events that brought fear, anger, frustration, tears, sleepless nights, and the hopelessness that tried to swallow me. The best part, however, was the healing that took place as I put pen to paper. My story has a happy ending and I’m now able to share practical advice and survival tips with others. God created beauty out of ashes in my family, and He can do the same for you.

If you or someone you love is dealing with a prodigal, my sincere desire is that Praying for the Prodigal (now available on Amazon) will give hope and encouragement to anyone traveling this dark path.

In God’s economy, nothing is wasted … even our pain.

I would love to have you join my Facebook launch party tonight (Monday, March 30th) from 7-9:00 PM. All you have to do is click on this link:
http://on.fb.me/1CneI6Y.

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In God's economy, nothing is wasted ... even our pain. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

Are you or someone you love dealing with a prodigal? Praying for the Prodigal now available on Amazon. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)


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