Who Do You Serve?: There Is No Gray Area

By Charlotte A Roper

Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God,
that I will send a famine on the land,
not a famine of bread,
nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord. ~ Amos
8:11, NKJV

We as Christians, so often hunger for the things of this world without regard to the cry of our Savior to reach out and touch those in need all around us. The choices we make each day of our lives send a clear message to the multitude as to whom we have chosen to serve. Gods Word says we can only serve one master. Our actions, our behaviors, our words, and every decision we make shows the world and our loved ones who we have chosen as the Lord of our lives.
I challenge you to ask yourself, Who do I serve? Have you been obedient to the call God has on your life, or do you choose to ignore that quiet whisper guiding you to His plan of a hope and a future? I urge you to fully surrender your life to Him and choose this day to serve your Savior, Jesus Christ, rather than the world and the enemy of your soul. Who you serve is black or white. There is no gray area.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449710286

Charlotte A Roper

Charlotte Roper is a Spirit-filled woman of God who has a desire to reach the lost and hurting through personal testimony, along with spiritual truths found in the Word of God. Charlotte is compassionate about seeing the power of the Holy Spirit work effectively in the life of every believer so we may all live a victorious life in Christ. She is an active member in her local church, a public speaker and a partner in leading a prayer group called Moms Moving Mountains. Charlotte is a financial adviser and resides in Richmond, Kentucky, with her husband and two children. This is Charlotte’s first book of many she hopes will follow.

Book preview

Who Do You Serve?

THERE IS NO GRAY AREA

Charlotte A Roper

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Copyright © 2011 Charlotte A Roper

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-1029-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-1030-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-1028-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010942669

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/16/2011

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

- CHAPTER ONE -

Our Past

- CHAPTER TWO -

Spiritual Healing

- CHAPTER THREE -

Obedience

- CHAPTER FOUR -

No More Excuses

- CHAPTER FIVE -

Evangelism

- CHAPTER SIX -

Marriage

- CHAPTER SEVEN -

Ministry

- CHAPTER EIGHT -

Yes and Amen

- CHAPTER NINE -

Faith

- CHAPTER TEN -

Women, Who Do You Serve?

- CHAPTER ELEVEN -

Powers of Darkness

- CHAPTER TWELVE -

A Child’s Accountability

- CHAPTER THIRTEEN -

Our Appetite

- CHAPTER FOURTEEN -

Submission

- CHAPTER FIFTEEN -

Reach Out with Compassion

Foreword

It is a privilege and an honor to write the foreword for the first of many books to be authored by Charlotte Roper. I can’t recall the exact date that Charlotte and I first met; I can, however, remember the moment. I immediately recognized God’s divine nature at work in her life. Jesus knows her by name. She is a child of God, and there is a desire within her heart to live daily within the power of the Holy Spirit.

As God began to grow a Christ-based friendship, Charlotte shared with me a conversation that she had with the Lord in which she cried out to God asking to see His glory, to feel more of His presence in a mighty way. This brokenness before the Lord led her through love and obedience to place her life upon the Potter’s wheel. I am blessed to be a witness to the molding process, and I am humbled by the presence of the Almighty at work in her life. She is a vessel eager to bring honor and glory to His name. With the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit as her guide, Charlotte has written Who Do You Serve? It is my prayer that this God-inspired book, written by a first-time author committed to serving her heavenly Father, will draw hearts to Christ and to a clearer understanding of His love, His mercy, and His grace.

Andrea Smith

Acknowledgments

First, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His love which covers a multitude of sin, and whose grace is sufficient for me. I am nothing without Christ, and to God be the glory for every victory in my life. I also want to thank my wonderful Christian friends and pastors for supporting and encouraging me in this journey. I pray that you know how much I appreciate you and your countless prayers. There is nothing more valuable than the Christian influences that God strategically places in our lives.

Most important, I want to thank my loving husband who has embraced this new life in Christ with me. I am not complete without your support and encouragement. You are the love of my life and have shown me what a man of his word is truly meant to be. The honor that you display as a man of value and commitment is beyond measure. You are a wonderful father to our children, and I look forward to spending many years growing in Christ together.

To my children, Dylan and Kayleigh, I pray this legacy I am leaving for you will bless your lives for years to come. I am so proud of you both and love you very much. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you all the days of your life.

I want to say a special thank-you to my dear, valued friend, Andrea, for pushing me to hear and obey the call of God on my life. Your ability to see the potential in God’s creations has inspired me and helped mold my walk with the Lord. You are a true example of God’s kindness and joy. It is my honor to call you friend.

To my girls with Moms Moving Mountains—wow, what an experience. I love you and thank you for your obedience to the Word of God, and the time you spend in prayer for our families, churches, and community. I am moved by your compassion and dedication to our ministry. God is faithful and has great rewards for us. He will multiply this ministry as we keep our faith strong and continue to stand in the gap for the lost and hurting.

I also want to thank my mother for her love, support, and prayers through the years. You have shown countless acts of selflessness and kindness. You have always encouraged me to be a woman of commitment, and I am so grateful for your example of strength and loyalty. I know I wasn’t always lovable, but you loved me anyway, as only a mother can. You have always so freely given to me and my sister, and I am so thankful. As I watch you with my children, I feel so blessed to have a mother who offers so much unconditional love.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to say thank you to my mother-in-law for raising a godly man who trusts in the Lord and believes in the power of prayer. He is the man he is because of your love and persistent prayers. I’m so blessed to call him my husband. You are such an amazing woman of God, and I thank you for sharing your wisdom. It has transformed my life. Your spiritual counsel has brought forth living water to my soul.

Introduction

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ~ 2 Cor. 5:17 (KJV)

I am humbled by the consuming power of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is hard for me to wrap my natural mind around all God has done over the last few years, and I look forward to the future plans He has for me and my family. The woman I am becoming in Christ is a continuous and exciting journey that will change my life and the life of my family for eternity.

I never imagined God would use a wretch like me to spread the gospel and share the good news of His Son, Jesus Christ. I can remember when the thought of talking about Jesus made me feel very uncomfortable, and praying out loud was out of the question. That was the old self! The new creation in Christ cannot talk about my Jesus enough, and my prayer life has never been more powerful. I have experienced such an amazing level of freedom that I don’t ever want to go back to the old self and allow bondage to ever gain control in my life again.

I laugh when I think about old friends and teachers hearing that I have written a book with such a powerful message. Some of the teachers I had in high school may find it hard to believe I have made anything of myself, let alone written a book to bring glory and honor to God. That’s a whole other book in itself!

I remember the terrible influence I must have had on others and the chip that I always carried on my shoulder. I have been so ashamed of years wasted while allowing Satan to be lord of my life. I know I will be criticized, and that’s okay. I am redeemed through Christ, and I will not allow a stronghold from satan to control future plans God has for me. I expect Satan will use any and every willing vessel to try and hold me back and shut my mouth. Encountering resistance from the devil just means he is worried and knows that I will be effective in relating to my readers and opening their eyes to spiritual truths. Satan does not fight those who are no threat to his work. I am filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and I look forward to God completing His good work in me.

Matthew 5:11-16 says,

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

I have already received a label during the publishing process from a well-known Christian bookstore as charismatic. By definition a charismatic leader has an extraordinary ability to attract with a magnetic personality and emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit. What better compliment for a new author. I choose not to fear speaking the truth because of the doctrines of people and denominational differences. When people’s tradition takes precedence over God’s Word in our churches, many will be led astray. I challenge you to know God’s Word for yourself and not be diverted by what humanity alone has taught.

I pray through the power of the Holy Spirit that you are touched by my life experiences and personal testimony that God has called me to share with you through this book. I pray you come to know Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life and make the choice to serve Him above everything else. I pray your spirit is renewed, and I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to move as you read and open your heart to the truths of God’s Word. The one we serve as our master on this earth will determine our eternity. I pray that you will be blessed and that this message will not fall on deaf ears. May you be inspired to see your full potential in Christ and allow the Lord to use you to make a difference for His kingdom. Don’t allow your past failures to determine your future. God has a mighty plan for you, and He is waiting for you to surrender your life to Him. Allow the old to pass away, and become a new creation in Christ.

 - CHAPTER ONE -

Our Past

As far as the east is from the west, So far has