Reshaping It All (30 page)

The idea of entering His rest is confusing at times. On one hand we're instructed to cease from our labor, and then James 2:20 tells us, "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" So what gives? Do we work, or do we rest?

I have a line of T-shirts, and one of the best sellers reads, "Being Good Isn't Good Enough." It makes people look when they see it because it would seem that I'm expecting perfection, when in fact that's not what it's saying at all. It's a great conversation piece to get chatting about the Lord.

If you think you're a good person, you should ask yourself, "Am I good enough to go to heaven?" The answer to that is found when we measure ourselves against the principles of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not give false testimony about your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.

I've broken all of those Ten Commandments. And if I'm certain of one thing, it's that you've broken them too. "But Candace," you're saying, "I haven't murdered anyone." And unless you're sitting on death row right now reading this book, I get your point. But Jesus explained that if you as much as hate your brother, you are guilty of murder because God sees the thoughts and intents of our heart. By that standard I know I'm a sinner, and it sends me to the One who paid my fine for the moral law I have violated so many times. As I kneel at the foot of the blood-stained cross, I know that I'm saved by grace and grace alone. My salvation has nothing to do with my goodness because in the light of that holy law, I don't have any. My freedom is paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. I could never be "good enough" to enter heaven on my merit alone, but because I lean on Jesus as the author of my faith, I am animated by His will.

When I think of entering into His rest, I imagine myself lifeless waiting for the hand of God to bring me to life. I think of myself an empty shell ready to be moved by His will when it is no longer me who's living but God who is living through me. When God lives through us, "it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Phil. 2:13). That is where works by faith come in.

Even Jesus Himself gave up His will in Matthew 26:39, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'" In fact, the entire life of Christ was to do the will of the Father.

Another T-shirt I have in my collection is "Growing in God." If you see my Web site, you'll notice that "Growing in God" is a running theme in my life. Millions of people watched me grow up in front of their eyes on television, and now I'd like you to watch me continue growing in faith.

Some Christians in Hollywood don't share their faith. Others, like my brother Kirk and me, want nothing more than to let our faith shine. We've taken a public stand. Not only because Jesus tells us to, but because our hearts have been convicted of our sin and the urgency to warn others. There are no second chances. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27 NKJV).

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18–20: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

To illustrate this point, I'd like you to imagine that you are a scientist and you have discovered the cure for cancer. Millions of people in the world are dying of cancer, so what do you do? Simple. You give people the cure you discovered so they also can live. See, this cure shows the urgency in the need for the cure.

It's the same thing with sharing the gospel; people are dying every day without knowing the Lord. These people will spend eternity separated from God in hell. But we as Christians have the "cure." We know who can save these people from hell, and that cure is Jesus. We need to point people to Jesus so they can live too.

I have so many great fans who have supported me over the years, through my days on
Full House
, and now as they watch me play Summer on
Make It or Break It
! Many have witnessed a change in me and have heard me freely talk about my faith. Sometimes the reaction is good, and sometimes it isn't so pleasant. People are going to expect me to be the same person I've always been, but when the Lord saved me and I became a new creation in Christ, I started growing in God.

It isn't always easy to stand strong in my faith, especially when I know that many in the media are waiting for me to slip up, for me to give reason for ridicule. But nevertheless, I do it because it's God's will for my life. Because I live an integrated Christian life, my walk with Him penetrates all aspects of my life. That includes my family, finances, work, relationships, my thoughts . . . everything. God wants all of me, including the Candace I am at work, not just the Candace that goes to church on Sundays or tells Bible stories in the privacy of her home. No matter how long I've been a Christian, I continue to pray that the Lord will rule in every area of my life.

God has changed me in ways words can't describe. He has transformed the way I think and live my life. Things that were once important to me are no longer vital. I can't help but share the good news with everyone! I know nothing is more important, and I know that without Christ the eternal consequences are devastating. I urge you to surrender your whole life to Jesus, turn from your sin, and trust in Him with all your heart. Pick up a Bible, and start reading it now. Let me leave you with this:

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commands all men every where to repent: because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained." (Acts 17:30–31)

Let's close this book in prayer together . . .

Dear Lord,

Thank You for teaching me the divine lessons of self-discipline. I pray that as I practice each lesson, I'll cherish its worth in place of my goal. Help me find the strength to live a self-disciplined life at all times. Help me discern where I need to change and to exercise my will when the going gets tough. Thank you for the struggles I face and the fruit that each triumph brings into my life.

Give me strength when I'm teaching my body to yield and Your divine Spirit when I need wisdom to lead. Give me examples of people to follow so that I too can learn. Show me ways I should change and give me the insight to do it.

Help me make life-changing choices that not only grow me as a person but also impact the world that I affect every day. Help me to obey Your Word, as my heart guides my head.

Teach me contentment in all that I do, so that I can say with all certainty, "It is well with my soul."

Amen.

The Pantry

CHOCKED-FULL OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Main Ingredient

Walking in faith isn't always the easiest path, especially when the world holds so much distraction for us. But if we want to live a victorious life that is free from the pull of the world, we need to include God in all that we do. God doesn't call us to be "good." He calls us to repentance through His Son Jesus Christ. And through that repentance we desire to serve.

A Slice of Advice

Hi Candace,

When it comes to sharing my faith, sometimes I prefer just to act as an example, or "love on people," because I have trouble putting God's love into words. How do you share your faith without appearing condescending, judgmental, or preachy?

—Jenna

Dear Jenna,

Great question! It can be so hard and intimidating to share our faith with others. I'm not nearly as bold as I'd like to be at times and imagine that I've missed many opportunities. I always try to act out my faith by example and to be loving in all my actions. That simply is the fruit that's given to us by the Holy Spirit when we've received Christ.

But the Bible tells us to go into the world and make disciples. This isn't just something for evangelists to do or for us to do if we feel called to share the gospel. Mark 16:15–16 says "[Jesus] said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'"

This is an urgent message for all believers. That last sentence is the reason we MUST share our faith. I highly recommend:
One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven
by Mark Cahill. This book will equip you with ideas for starting conversations, examples of witnessing situations, and answers to common questions.

Don't be intimidated to start a conversation because you think you won't know all the answers. Chances are, you won't. But you can always say, "I don't know. But I'd love to find out the answer to that and get back to you." And DO!

Sharing your faith with someone doesn't need to turn judgmental or preachy. In love, you can develop some methods to start up a dialogue by simply asking questions to get others thinking. Just remember, it's all about planting a seed. It's not about winning a debate. You don't need to get an answer for God on the spot. That will be between them and God—all in His perfect timing. And one last thing, witnessing is all about practice. Keep on engaging in conversations, and you'll find tremendous blessing from it.

—Candace

A Pinch of Practicality

If you are looking for ways to share your faith, one way you can start is by giving Him the glory for your health and well-being. If someone asks you, "How did you take off the weight?" Tell them you did it God's way. This great conversation starter can lead to a discussion on faith. It can also be a great way to help another woman get healthy too.

The best way to share our faith is by being a walking and living example. So roll up your sleeves, do the best you can, and live a life that compels other people to follow the Christ you love.

Food for Thought

• I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. (Phil. 3:10–12
The Message
)

• Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. (Heb. 4:11)

• Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28–30)

• But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt. 12:36–37)

• You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (James 2:20)

• It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Phil. 2:13)

• Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matt. 26:39)

• All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:18–20)

• And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained. (Acts 17:30–31)

The Candy Dish

I want to know how God created this world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts; the rest are details. —Albert Einstein

From My Stove to Yours

Fresh Herbed Chicken Breasts

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts with skin on

2 medium cloves garlic, pressed

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

¼ cup chicken broth

Salt and cracked black pepper

Directions

Season the chicken breast with a little salt and pepper.

Turn oven to broil and heat to broil. Leave a metal broiling pan in there to heat.

Place the chicken in a pan and return it to broil, careful not to have the pan too high in the oven. Turn heat to low. Broil for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is done.

In the meantime prepare your herbs. Heat chopped herbs, lemon juice, broth, pressed garlic, salt, and pepper on medium for about 30 seconds.

Once chicken is done, remove the skin and slice the chicken as desired. Pour the herb mixture over chicken.

Notes

1. Phil McGraw,
The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom
(New York: Pocket Books, 2003), 44.