Inspiring Stories to help you beyond your circumstances “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts…”
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Wrong associations can corrupt good manners. The people you associate with on a regular basis will have an impact on your life—one way or another. Not all people who sound religious are really godly. Jesus said “they refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.”…..He also said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock. Though the rains come in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against the house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on a rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. (See Matthew 7:21-28).
It is impossible to live a life that is untouched by other people. Wrong attitudes, opinions, and unbelief through negative speaking can reshape our perspective and influence our decisions if we don’t choose to renew our minds on a daily basis. That is why it is imperative to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit—not mankind—and to have a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord through spending time in His Word, and with other believers. It’s a daily choice.
It’s totally awesome when one godly person’s life sharpens another, but it can be a disaster in the making when negative influence sways better judgment. Being lured in by the temptation of negative opinions, and the world’s system doesn’t really show up too much in the beginning—but surely does with hindsight. It also has the power to harden the heart over time.
When people who call themselves believers or Christians surrender to sinful lifestyles, it dulls the ability to discern right and wrong (1 Tim. 4:1-2), and can easily draw others along as well. Believe it or not, some of the biggest potential enemies to spiritual growth that Paul experienced were not those outside the faith who were involved in blatant sin, but rather those inside the church community.
Negative influence isn’t always obvious. We will never improve on the Master’s plan—staying on the “ancient path”….and following Jesus Himself is always BEST. We will never improve on anything by imitating man. We are warned to be on the lookout for wolves in sheep’s clothing—those who appear “spiritual” on the outside, but lead God’s people astray (2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 4:1).
Negative influence might go something like this: “Come on, everybody is doing it.” “You are over the top with this relationship with Jesus stuff.” “You can skip college class today…no one will miss you.” Or, when a friend says: “Don’t you think your husband is too tight with money?” Or, “The world says it’s okay, so it has to be okay with God.” WRONG!
The desire for man’s approval, rebellion, and the pleasure of sin are traps of the enemy. Don’t ignore warnings from the Lord…no matter how they come. Surround yourself with people who are positive influences, and limit time with negative people. Being around positive people who follow God’s Word will also bring protection.
Take time for prayer. The surrendered person has a relationship with God where he or she can hear what the Lord is saying. Through prayer, we submit ourselves to God, and allow our hearts, minds, and wills to be influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The question to ask is this: “Is this relationship drawing me closer to Jesus and the Cross?” Stick close to people who run everything by God and His Word. It may save you from disaster.
And…remember this….the very person who irritates you may be the very one God has sent to you to bring you to a place of victory in some area. If your heart is tender, you will be drawn to God’s truth and want to grow. If your heart is hardening and wounded, you will be annoyed, aggravated, and want to distance yourself from people who love the Lord and His Word.
Focus on God’s truth…it will transform your thinking (Romans 12:2). The Word protects our minds against the lies and deception of sin. Submit to God through His Word and prayer. Joshua 1:8 commands us, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
God loves you! He has a great plan for your life….Apart from our relationship with the LORD, all religious practices are empty. Let’s pray together: “Father, in the name of Jesus, keep me close and obedient, real and authentic, as I live my Christian life.
Take time to pray Psalm 129:4, Psalm 103:20, Isaiah 49:25, Isaiah 55:11, and Isaiah 54:17.
God bless you!
Deborah Starczewski
Books by Dr. Deborah Starczewski
GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed, And Know Your Purpose)….. move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, a mess to a message, and trials to triumph through CHRIST.
A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)….the full account of the miraculous intervention by God in the life of my husband—raised from death, two open heart surgeries, and healing from two strokes. This book reveals the power of hearing, listening and obeying God…and the importance of other believers in our lives.
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)… a must read for all. A great family devotional and makes a great gift for friends, family, and any occasion.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors.
*Contact Deborah for ministry and speaking engagements at www.starministriesinc.com
DIRECT MY STEPS LORD
When any of us are stricken with some crushing pain, crisis, hardship, or trial and we don’t know what to do, it is paramount to remember the words of Jeremiah: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23).
The absolute worst thing we can do in times of trouble is to make hasty decisions and to take whatever course of action seems easiest at the time. Remember, God has promised to lead us.
In 1 Samuel 30, David was in extreme duress and had wept till he had no strength left. All those with him did the same. You can read the story. Even those around him wanted to stone him, but David encouraged himself in the Lord, chose to worship, inquired of God and God gave David specific instructions. David obeyed and recovered all. (*Note: … those with him wanted to stone him and out of all of those men, David was the only one mentioned that turned to the Lord). Time doesn’t heal our wounds; it is in turning to the LORD where we find strength and help in times of trouble.
We must remember that our life is not our own, and that God has promised to lead us. I don’t know what you are facing, but God does. Turn to Him and He will give you direction. He will direct your steps. If you sense a small unsettling nudge in your heart, don’t ignore it. It may save your life and future.
You may be seeing injustice all around you and sense God nudging you to step out into a new career to be the change. You may be facing a business decision and need help from God and clarity. You may be deciding which job to take, where to move, or what church to connect with in a new city. One thing I know for sure, God will lead you. He will also connect you will people to help you succeed as a team.
HIS love and mine,
Deborah
BOOKS BY DR. DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI
GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)
A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the miraculous account of God raising my husband from death, healing him from two strokes, and two open-heart surgeries. The story will keep you turning the pages, give you encouragement, and increase your faith to believe God for whatever you are facing.
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)…a must read for all. A great devotional type read…the perfect gift for family, friends, and co-workers.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors.
Contact Deborah at www.starministriesinc.com for speaking and ministry engagements.
OPEN YOUR EYES TO SEE…..HELP FOR ALL
(Excerpt)…”You may find yourself in a place of extreme pain and derision. Perhaps, you don’t have the natural strength to move forward due to all the stress from a situation. Maybe you’re contemplating all the months ahead and wondering how on earth you are going to make it. Perhaps, you don’t have the physical strength to even move forward from all the stress you are experiencing. Do you find yourself in a desert wondering how you are going to provide for your small kids, make the house payments, go to work and function with excellence, to just getting out of bed? You are the very one God wants to speak to right now and take you to the place of totally depending upon Him and trusting Him with your every need.
God wants to open your eyes to His well of provision just like Hagar saw in the middle of her desert. God not only wants you to have provision but He wants you to be in peace. He tells us in His Word, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV).
As we trust the Lord, pray, and renew our minds, we find that our emotions do not run wild but rather, we have a calm assurance that God will provide in every area as we wait upon Him. That is the most amazing way to live.
Not only does God keep us in peace as we keep our mind stayed on Him, but He also provides food. The psalmist tells us, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25). The LORD can move on someone’s heart to bring you a meal to providing for you in some manner you least likely expect. Several months ago, I remember I was at an appointment and the doctor was running late. I had a lunch appointment and knew I was not going to have time so I called and cancelled lunch. I also knew if I didn’t get a little something to eat that I would have a headache.
I remember thinking I would just drive over to the bagel shop and get a toasted bagel for a snack. Just in front of the door, a lady dressed in a warm-up suit asked me if I had some change. I told her I would get some inside. I walked inside and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to ask her to join me and buy her lunch. I walked back outside and asked her so we both proceeded through the door together. We began to have casual conversation in line and I asked her what she would like, so we ordered and I paid for it. We sat down and I prayed over our meal and then she began to tell me that she was homeless due to several bad choices. She expressed that she had a good job but lost it due to falling back into some sin and not getting to work on time. I asked her if she had a relationship with Jesus and she said she had heard about him. We ended up praying again and I shared how God had rearranged my day to meet her. I gave her money for a bus, for food, and for a hotel for the night. She told me she stayed off Sugar Creek Road somewhere. I felt compassion for her and her situation.
On my drive home, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to go and get a pedicure. Now I can guess that some of you might be thinking, “Why would God tell her to get a pedicure?” God sometimes gives us strange instructions, interrupts our days, and positions us to hear from Him specifically. God knows I rarely watch TV news. So listen to this.
While getting the pedicure, I heard a man on the news that was on in the nail salon and tentatively listened to every word. He shared how he had been homeless himself, how the churches in the area were coming together, God had given him a ministry, and that a shelter to house the homeless was opening off Sugar Creek the next day. This was the area the lady stayed near.
God was letting me know that He positioned me to take care of the lady I met for the day, and He would provide the rest. God never ceases to amaze me.
Now, you may not be homeless, but in your heart, you may feel the same. All alone in this big world! Just as God provided for the lady’s day, He is providing for you. I don’t know all the details, but HE does.
God provides for our needs because He says so in His Word. The apostle Paul says, “My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus.” I believe Him. Jesus told His followers not to worry about what they would eat or drink or wear, but to seek His kingdom first and His righteousness, and then all other things would fall into place (Matthew 6:33).
God provides comfort as we walk through the desert. He brings encouragement in detailed ways. He goes to extreme measures to encourage and provide for His Sons and Daughters. Our God is described as the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles.”
(Excerpt from GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE…published 2011, Creation House Press)
God bless you!
Deborah Starczewski
BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI
GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)
A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the miraculous account of God raising my husband from death, healing him from two strokes and two open-heart surgeries. This book will keep you turning the pages and give you faith to believe God for yourself.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors