Join us for Day 29 of Soul Detox and then join us for discussion and community in the comments below!
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23 thoughts on "Day 29"
Day 29
Leave a Reply
23 thoughts on "Day 29"
Brandi- praying for you! May you have peace in your heart!
I guess we just have to remember we live in a fallen world, Those without Christ are acting just like they should – unsaved, yoked with sin, living in the enemies world and basically doing his bidding, We, however, if we belong to the family of Christ, shouldn't act in those same ways. We have been redeemed! We have been set apart and are no longer under the yoke of sin! I just have to keep this in mind! Because I certaintly don't act the way I should! And because there have been plenty if times I have gotten myself in relationships with toxic people, one of them is my husband. What my prayer is daily is that God will enable me to love with His love and act and react in and with His grace. I want all of you to know how much I appreciate your posts, encouragement and prayer! I feel so blessed to have fellowship with you all.
I'm praying for you and with you, Brandi!!!
Praying for you and your husband, Brandii! It’s an honor studying God’s word with you
When I first read this passage, I really didn’t know what to think, I felt many emotions. But after reading some comments, I believe I know how this affects to me personally. One of my coworkers is plain rude, grouchy and a gossip. It is difficult to work with her, and I often find myself indulging in her, or becoming angry with her. I can’t avoid working with her, but I’ve decided instead to keep strong with who I am, and I will ask God to give me the strength I need to keep strong and not give in.
Today is one of those days. An acquaintance on facebook posted something about the bible and Jesus that was seriously askew. It was meant to encourage her friends, clients and online followers. Many of them who are searching for answers themselves and heavy with the weight of a lost loved one in their life. My facebook friend is a spiritual medium whom I met at a wedding a couple of years ago. She is a sweet, caring and empathetic so I was nervous to confront what, to me what a serious disservice to God's living Word. I'm not a confrontational person. I despise conflict. Yuck!
She was kind and thanked me for sharing my beliefs about what Jesus was trying to do. I made my best effort to share the scripture in a gentle, loving way. Not coming down in offense and careful not to be harsh and condemning. It's none of my business what she got out of it, if any at all. It's not my job. My job is to love. I'll let God do the rest. Please pray for my facebook friend, sisters.
I leave with you this video that I saw today. Maybe you've seen it already. American Idol contestant Angela Miller using the gift of song. So powerful!!! Love and blessings to you all! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_NhisWuq9o
I have noticed more and more as I grow into a mature Christian is that company with people who are not of the same mind like mine, I don't enjoy anymore. I listen to the conversation but I usually stop and think about what they are saying in light of God's word. More and more I am starting to choose who I would like to spend time with it. Sometimes this could be wrong because we should go out there and speak about Jesus but if I want to enjoy a conversation I choose those that edify God's word and give me good bible counsel. I pray for God's wisdom and discernment and I pray for the fruits of the spirit especially patience when it comes to being in the company of the world.
I find this to be VERY true because I have feel this too. The conversations, people, places, drinks I used to enjoy are like BLEH to me right now. Definitely, sometimes the devil tries to seduce into falling back into unintentional, carefree, wild living (because that’s what it is) and He calls me to live INTENTIONALLY checking everything I’m involved in with the light of His word. Blessings, Friend!
“Bad company corrupts good character”
Looking back, I’ve had several experiences- I of course had to learn the hard way! I’ve missed out on a lot and definitely took some wrong turns. My Dad passed when I was 16 and I sort of just lost it and quickly fell in with bad company. At the same time I always looked for the best in everybody, believing people wouldn’t really hurt me or use me.
Some did, some didn’t….but I got lost along the way. Constantly being in bad company wore away the things I was brought up with. My Dad had a strong moral compass with an intense sense of right and wrong which he drilled into my brothers and myself. It always amazes me that it didn’t take
long to change how I looked at things, how quickly
my life went downhill. Of course no one could tell me anything- I was as defiant as they come! And I soon stopped looking for the best in everyone because by then I HAD been used and hurt. Bitter anger was the name of the game and like attracts like, right? The once confident, strong, optimistic girl grew into a suspicious, angry, hurt and weak young woman that thought the strong, smooth talking guy would save her….wrong!! So began 15 yrs of angry alcoholic verbal abuse from Mr Smooth….until the shame of it all became too much. You learn to make excuses for everything, like I worked and paid all the bills because HE only worked seasonally (which = NEVER) and he could still complain about how I did it, what I did, etc.. Ran off all my friends, they got tired of my excuses too. I figured I had made my bed- I had to lie in it.
And what was I going to do with 4 kids on my own?? I was so beat down emotionally I couldn’t figure out that I was ALREADY doing it all anyways! Crazy….
So yes, now looking back, I can say bad company will DEFINITELY corrupt you, no matter your intentions. STAY AWAY!! I’m trying to instill in my kids(the only good out of all those years!) what my Dad taught me. Which was difficult when I wasn’t living it myself, but now it’s much better. I have the Lord with me now!! Too bad I didn’t heed Him all those times warning bells where ringing in my head, it would of saved a lot of heartache. He has seen me thru in spite of myself- praise God!!
My dilemma is this- obviously I still have to deal with my ex, (who’s as toxic as they come) because of the kids…what in the world do I do?! He’s better about some things, helps with things because of my health issues. He’s even come around to believing in God after all these years, which is a miracle in itself. Do I try to minister to him? I really don’t feel qualified to do that. But I do share some of the things I’m learning, which I think can help.
If bad rubs off on good, then surely good can rub off on bad!!?
With the Lord’s help ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!
Thank you Jesus!
Have a Blessed Day Ladies! :)
Might I state first of all that it is 1:55am in Nigeria right now. I took a break off studying to hop on here to read your story. So I haven't actually done the devo yet.
The very first thing that came to mind as I read your testimony was "wow!" thank you for sharing that with us (especially me because it is pretty timely for me right now) I'll be praying for you that you grow graciously in Him! Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement, Ellen. Have a blessed day. :)
Ellen, thank you for sharing your story!! You are amazingly strong!!
This devotional was a good reminder to be careful about who I'm friends with. I'm learning that everyone is not "of God" or doing God's will even though they claim they are. That's been a real eye opener for me on my walk. I keep having to go back to God and pray for wisdom and discernment to tell the difference. But maybe that's why it happens because I can only listen to God.
This devo brings to mind a comment I heard very early in my Christian walk. It is: “Lord let me be a thermostat, not a thermometer.” I love that. Too often I am a thermometer, reflecting the mood, actions, the tone of those around me. It’s more difficult to be the positive one when people are negative, for instance.
In terms of toxic people I could go on about that! Passive-aggressiveness is a good example. So are verbally abusive people or manipulators. I believe we need to examine our own hearts for these traits and then try to determine why we are pulled to certain people. (Think about your romantic relationships for instance.)
Lord help us not to be toxic people and give us wisdom to have strong boundaries with those who are.
“Bad company corrupts good character.” Describe a time when you experienced this warning in your life. What did you learn from your experience?
I can’t think of one time in particular but I know there are lots times that I’ve “gone along with the crowd”–laughed, joked about things that I know I shouldn’t–all to fit in. This stems from my fear of rejection, my fear of what man thinks. I just need to, more and more, focus on pleasing my Lord and not man. Have a blessed day, sisters!
So many people are living just for today. Accumulating things just for this brief period of time we're on earth. They say, along with Paul here & the Israelites of Isaiah's time: "“Let us eat and drink, you say, for tomorrow we die!”
But we are reminded there is another life to be lived after the resurrection. My decisions today should be made with the question as to what will it mean for, as the old hymn goes, "…with Eternity's values in view…"
The baggage I acquire (sometimes toxic, sometimes not) can only weigh me down for this journey. Dear Father, "lighten my load" today. Remind me of the souls who are dying & entering into an eternity without You.
@Lawsey00: Yes, just click on the #SheReadsTruth and it will show all the listings. You are looking for Day 28. There must have been a glitch on some platforms because posting numbers were really low for yesterday. Be blessed!
Thanks, when I go to the day there is no memory verse for the week ??
“Bad company corrupts good character.” Describe a time when you experienced this warning in your life. What did you learn from your experience?
This brings to remembrance: “Bird of a feather flock together.” My mother use to say it when I established a friendship that was not pleasing to her. It was never used in a positive light but always negatively.
Now that I am (just a little) older, I understand that it doesn’t take long for “bad” to taint things. It has a momentum of its own; hardly ever does “good” rub-off as fast. So we have to be very careful with whom we surround ourselves with because it truly is easier to put up bad habits than good.
cynthia, I understand this all too well. I can be very easily influenced by others, and I don't even realize it until my husband or someone else points it out to me. I am so into people-pleasing sometimes that I just want to follow the crowd. this has happened to me more times than i can count, honestly. i am ashamed to admit it.
It has taken me a long time to realize that, even in my adult life, I have a fear of man. It lessens as I get older and dig more into the word, but it is always there. I don’t surround myself with “bad” people per say, but I do have friends and colleagues who are non-believers. Sometimes I get so swept up in building relationship with them that I forget the main purpose, to show and share God to them. My fear of man creeps up when I least expect it and I laugh along with something that probably should not be laughed at, etc. When I get swept up in it all I forget the mission. Praying this morning that the mission will always be in the forefront of my mind and that I will daily lean on the Holy Spirit to speak through my words and actions, in spite of me.
Thank you for your post. I find that most of my old college friends and current coworkers are non believers and certainly live their lives that way. It is hard to have conversations without getting swept up in the moment with gossip, complaining, or talking about mundane topics of current celebrity life. My actions at those moments aren't showing me as a Godly woman with a heart for Christ. I like your reminder that my main purpose is to show and share God.
Absolutely, I have to make sure I remind myself of that several times during the day. I have recently gone back to graduate school and I am in a very liberal field (social work). I am in school with quite a few younger, unmarried, without kids, colleagues and it's hard not to get wrapped up in it all. I am constantly praying "Lord, don't let me get in the way today".
Sorry just wondering was there no weekly truth yesterday?