Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Rebecca
Re:
on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 9:50 am
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First I just wanna say that I think you are gorgeous Hannah!
This was so good! I definitely need to look at my life in this area because I am very much a list maker haha. I make lists for everything. So your perspective on us just using it as a checklist until we're "perfect" really is subconscious thinking that I didn't even know I had!
I think for the modesty thing it's so easy to fall into legalism because it's easy enough looking modest and dressing appropriately; but how are you acting around the guys, who are you flirting with etc?
Megan
RE:
on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 12:15 pm
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I totally agree on this. You really hit the spot, and it is so true among Christians today that they try to look good on the outside, but really they're just fakes, they don't really love God all the way through.
I know no one is perfect, but we try our best.
And we do need to make sure our motives are not just for the praise of men, but for the glory of God.

Thank you for posting this video!
God bless!

-Serving Him
meg
Re:
on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 2:32 pm
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I agree with you too.I feel that if you're abiding in the Holy Spirit you will just be doing what is right, because if you're abiding in the Spirit then you're attentive to God's voice and you're increasing in the knowledge of His will for you. And if you really have a heart for God you would be convicted of your behavior and you will have a tender heart to just repent and not PRACTICE those sins. Legalism is icky. Following God's will is awesome.
Beth
Book
on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 3:58 pm
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Umm...I still haven't gotten the book I won!:( Wondering if there's a problem
CeCe
Re:
on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 7:05 pm
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This was interesting I've never was taught about legalism. I was just the familiar with "surface" legalism. So thank you; it really got me thinking about my heart rather than my actions.

How is it dangerous and easy to fall into legalism?

Pride. I never once examined if my heart was in the right place. Often I would do things because I might get recognition, it would look good on my college applications, or somehow God would love me more. I had that spirit of bragging about what I had done and I knew that wasn't right, but it would slip out anyways. And now it seems like my heart has been dumbed down. I have a more difficult time to volunteer for events, etc. I do it more because I'll feel guilty if I don't.
It is easy to fall into because it seems harmless. You think: "Who cares if my hearts not there for the right reason. At least I'm giving my time doing something good for someone/something, etc." But if your goal is to be more like Jesus Christ you are headed towards the wrong direction.

What ways can we avoid legalism, when persuing what it means to live out our faith?

I'd don't remember if I've prayed directly for it but I want to be humble(d). God had reminded me over and over that I am weak and in need of a savior; and reading His Word helps me with that. Praying also works (even though my prayer life is definitely not where I want it to be).

I'm not surrounded by a lot of Christian teens or adult that discuss topics such as modesty, legalism, beauty, and femininity so this has been refreshing to read. So thank you! :)

Pray for me.
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Cece
on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 9:37 pm
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Hey CeCe,

Praying Ephesians 1:3-8 tonight.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing; that you chose us to be in Christ before you ever laid the foundation of the earth. Thank you that there is nothing we can ever do to be in a right relationship with you, but that because of Jesus you have freely given us redemption, forgiveness, lavished grace, wisdom and insight. I pray tonight that Cece will come to know in a deeper way this year the immeasurable love you have for her. Keep her free from striving and straining, from trying to attain the love and acceptance that is already hers in Christ. In Jesus name… Amen.

Grace and peace,
Carrie
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Beth
on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:37 am
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Hey, Beth ~

Sorry you haven’t received your book yet. They have been shipped out, so please let us know if you don’t receive it by the end of next week for sure!

Thanks,
Carrie
Abi
wow
on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:27 pm
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I have been living to look good on the outside when I have been rebellious and a miserable on the inside and all that I was thinking is that I have to look good on the outside so no one would know that I am " falling off the path", going the way I wanna go. I almost stopped going to church, but didn't cause I knew if I did I would have people asking why I was not there and I didn't want people to know that I am struggling and am "way off track"
anon192837465
Re:
on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 3:44 pm
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I just read an e-mail I had gotten from my youth group leader about last week's message, since I wasn't there. the message was about luke-warm Christians. My youth group leader said he thought I would fall into that category. I don't know right now whether I believe in God or not. Even though I know in my head that I need to. this probably had nothing to do with this post, but I just needed to get it out.
Janine
Legalism is easier O.O
on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11:15 pm
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Relying and clinging to a set of rules for holiness is a lot easier than following the promptings of the Holy Spirit... It make Christianity mechanical and easier to follow, which makes legalism more... dangerous. Legalism kinda creeps into our hearts and disguises itself as obedience to God or something... Sometimes you don't know you're being legalistic until someone confronts you... O.O
Hannah Farver
re: Janine
on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 2:16 pm
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That's a really, really good point. I like what you said that legalism "makes Christianity mechanical" and that it's easiest. That's definitely one of the reasons we fall into legalism--it's a lot *easier* just to make a set of rules to follow rather than pursuing Christ with our hearts.
Lorree, with the LYWB team
re: anon192837465
on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 2:21 pm
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Thank you being transparent and for “getting it out” with us, Friend! This is the most important decision you will ever make in your lifetime! I’ve prayed for you today and have asked God to continue to pursue you and bring you into a personal relationship with Him. He loves you, Friend, and will never force Himself on you. He does not want anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9).

It sounds as if your youth leader is concerned for you and your relationship with God. God has put him in your life for such a time as this. Don’t put it off, Friend. He can help you come into a personal, intimate relationship with God. I encourage you to go to him and speak with him about this. He cares for you and wants to help you to be secure in Christ for all eternity. Please speak with him about this, Friend!
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Abi
on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 8:19 pm
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Hey, Abi,

Thanks for being honest!

Is there someone you can talk to this week? Maybe your parents, your youth pastor or his wife? An older godly woman? Getting honest about where we’re really at is the first step toward returning to Jesus.

Will you take that step this week, Abi. Praying for you tonight, friend.

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “ Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning…return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate and slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness ( Joel 2:12-13).”

All is grace,
Carrie
Abi
Carrie
on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 12:36 pm
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The person I would love to talk to, died last year, my pastors wife...
I am suppose to meet with an older godly friend tomorrow before church. She knows something is wrong and I asked if we could meet to talk about it. I am hoping that I will be able to tell her the truth, I trust her, but am a bit nervious! Thanks for praying!
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Abi
on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 7:50 pm
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. O, Abi… that must be so hard. Know I’m praying for you tonight.

And will be tomorrow evening as you meet with this woman. I’m proud of you, Abi, for setting up a time to chat with her! You’re doing the right thing, friend.. press on. Freedom, joy and peace come as we humble ourselves in honesty before God and others!

Let me know how it goes…

I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you, Do not be afraid… I myself will help you, declares the LORD ( Is. 41:13-14).
Grace and peace,
Carrie
Elizabeth
Love this
on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:20 pm
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thnx for speaking to the heart of the matter. You seem to be really good at that. I really needed to think about how my motivations (impressing others) and Who I really should be living to impress.
Abi
Carrie
on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 2:21 pm
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It did not work out to talk last night so we are meeting Sunday night. Thanks for praying! You're just like a friend! Thanks!
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Abi
on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 8:09 am
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Hey, Abi ~

You’re so sweet to let me know! Thank you. I’m praying this morning that you will have the courage you need to be honest, open and transparent as you share with your friend. God is drawing you, Abi, in His grace and mercy to return to Him. He knows the details of where you are… and loves you so! He wants you to acknowledge that you have turned from him. Repentance is sweet my friend, because our Abba Father is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness (Joel 2:12-13).

May you know the sweetness of restored intimacy with Him, Abi.

Carrie
Abi
Carrie
on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 3:13 pm
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Hey!
I was able to talk to my friend last night and it was so nice to be able to talk to someone about what I've been thinking! Thanks for praying for me!
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Abi
on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 2:19 pm
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Hey, Abi ~

I’m so grateful you were able to share honestly with your friend! Thanks for letting me know…and for running hard after Jesus by seeking the counsel of a godly friend!


But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me! Do not rejoice over me, o my enemy. Though I fall, I will rise. Though I dwell in darkness the Lord is a light for me. He will bring me out to the light. And I will see His righteousness (Micah 7:7-9).

Grace and peace,
Carrie
Chloe
Thank You
on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 1:23 pm
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Hannah, the first thing that I wanted to say is that this really helped me out a lot. Thank you so much. This really reminded me about how sometimes we don't always act out what we say that we believe. Something that I struggle with is that people know that I'm a Christian but sometimes when I'm with my friends I agree or say opposite things because I think that they may have a good point. How do I stop doing this?
Sarah, with the LYWB team
Chloe...
on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10:20 pm
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Hi, Chloe…

It is geat that you hear truth and respond by evaluating your actions. You are right to want to stop doing this. The first reason has to do with your friends. When you say something that you don’t mean or don’t really believe, after awhile your friends don’t really know who you are. They can’t like you for yourself.

The second reason has to do with yourself. While your friends may not know what you really think, you do. And you begin to feel phony. It is exactly the opposite of how God intends for us to live.

The third reason is that you are not standing up for the Lord. And He takes that very seriously. In fact He said “Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 You want to stand up for the Lord and His ways.

What to do? Make up your mind that whatever it costs in the moment (embarrassment, non-acceptance, questions) it’s not worth the consequences of not being true to the Lord, yourself, and people you care about. Remember, none of us are able to live for the Lord like we should on our own. All of us are unable to live in a way that is consistently pleasing to the Lord. But that is precisely why Jesus died for you—to help you do what you cannot do on your own. So, with the Lord, commit to making a stand for truth and ask the Lord’s help in being the person He created and redeemed you to be. You won’t find it easy, but you will discover it is far less painful than the alternative.

Blessings to you, Chloe.