**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, M.H. Elrich. A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
-Hebrews 3:12 KJV
How many of you have a loved one or a friend who no longer follows the Lord? I have. Unfortunately, many people grieve the loss of a fellow believer in Christ, especially if that person was someone close to them.
In my case, it was tough because I tried to help this person out of a situation that seemed demonic, and I do not say that lightly. I still wonder about and pray for this person who supposedly worships demons in the form of “Mother Earth.” All I can say is that it grieves my heart to think of this person falling away from God.
Some others in your life might not be completely turned away, but slipping away through their actions. Whether that is cohabiting, not attending church (or any other Biblical fellowship), they are starting to drift from the life that God has called his believers to live. Whenever I think of these two groups, I recall Matthew 7:13: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”
The author of Hebrews warned the audience about falling away. Satan makes it easy for people to choose the wrong path, and sometimes, their own sin lures them away (1 Peter 5:8; James 1:14). Before you self-righteously proclaim “not I, Lord!” remember that Peter declared the same thing, right before denying Jesus three times.
All it takes is giving in to temptation once for it to grow. A woman in my Bible Study once compared sin to cockroaches. If you don’t get rid of the one you find in your pantry, there’s bound to be a nest of them somewhere.
This is why we must be watchful. Praying and reading the Bible daily can certainly equip us to resist sin and Satan’s schemes. But what if we fall? What if we realize that we’ve messed up, yet again?
Turn to God. Turn to God when you are tempted. Turn to God when you’re at the end of your rope. Turn to God when everything and everyone seems like they are against you.
Pray hard. Cry into the Lord’s arms. Don’t give up hope. Hold on to even a tendril or a mustard seed of faith, believing that this is not the end, and this isn’t going to last forever. I promise you, as a woman who has walked that road of darkness before, there is light at the end of the tunnel—and it’s not just eternal life, it’s Jesus.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord, when I am tempted, please help me to resist and cling to you. If I fail, please forgive me and help me to do better next time. Then, if everything seems dark, show me your light of hope. Lord, hold me in your hand and keep me from falling away. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.
I love your post. I have a loved one that I pray for daily.
Amen 🙏