Fulfillment.

Well, it is time to blog again!  I have a rather hard time coming up with things to write about my daily life, so I only tend to crave a typing session when there is something distinct on my mind.  In most cases, it is when God puts something on my heart, and I become desperate to share.  Today was a good day for me, but life blows hard in your face sometimes.  It is easy to let the devil deceive you, and believe me, he will.  It is so vital to stay in your word, because that is one of the most powerful ways our heavenly Father will guide us and speak to us.


Now....

There is a joy we have in Christ Jesus that is able to conquer all sufferings and trials we reach in our lives.  He offers us a peace....a contentment in whatever state we may fall.  It is so easy to begin to feel like we are drowning in the chaos and struggles of this life.  Too many a soul will give into the stress, because it sounds so much easier.  It can be exhausting to fight.  Discontentment creeps upon us slowly.  We may allow ourselves to feel  burdened by our job, angry with our neighbor, and physical stress upon lack of sleep or disturbed eating habits.  Discontentment overtakes us like an eagle upon it's prey. 

In Phillipians it states this, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice..do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Then later on it says, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

It is good for us to be reminded of this command.  We may find ourselves struggling to remain thankful and hopeful when the trials of life begin to overtake us, but our Lord tells us to REJOICE always.  We are reminded that it is possible to be content with our lives.  The joy we have in Christ, the peace we have in knowing we are His children, can take over all sense of hopelessness we encounter if we allow this rule to work in our lives. 

Beautiful Girl-Part 1

To all the girls out there who woke up this morning and did not feel beautiful,  for all the girls who struggle everyday with self-worth, for the girls who go about their lives not feeling pretty or loved, for all of the girls who desire to feel cherished and confident, these next few posts are for you.

You are beautiful.  You are perfectly and wonderfully made.  You are BEAUTIFUL. You were created to be a strong and amazing woman. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! God knew you before you were even born.  He looked at you and He said, "...it is good."  He formed you with love.  Girl, you are perfect.  You are exactly the way He wanted you to be.  He has no desire to harm you, rather only to prosper you and do you good. 

True beauty is the beauty found in a pure, gentle heart.  You may have heard this verse over and over again, and it may be of little meaning to you, but I challenge you to read it very closely right now, and pray that the Holy Spirit would work in your heart as you allow it to impact your life.

1 Peter  3:2-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

Ladies, you were created to be strong women of God.  Read Proverbs 31b which describes what a woman of lovely character should be.  Also read what 1 Corinthians has to say about love, which is the greatest commandment.  Take some time for a "makeover."  Not a physical makeover, but a "spiritual makeover."  Girls, you are virtuous women of God.  Never let anyone, not even a man, tell you differently.  Learn to hold yourself in high honor so men will too.  Never let the devil tell you that you're not pretty enough.  Never allow him make you feel unworthy.

You are SO beautiful! Remind yourself every day by reading the words in Psalms and Proverbs.  Read about God's unfailing love for you.  He created you!  The master of beauty formed YOU.   

All things Great and Small

Thank you Lord for all your blessings.

 "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31)

 "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10)

 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4)

 "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord." (Psalm 96:11-13)

 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)

Goodmorning Jesus

Lord, I pray for strength to go about my day with a peaceful and kind attitude.  I pray for peace between myself and those I meet throughout my day.   I pray that I am able to love those in my life.  Give me strength to forgive.  Give me courage to persevere.  Allow others to see you through me.  Show me how to protect the ones I LOVE. Grant me contentment in whatever situation you have placed me in.  Show me how to hope for the things of you.  I want to grow closer to you Lord.  Be ever present in my day, and walk with me dear Jesus.  Will I dare to hold your hand?  Lead me oh God, and give me a faith beyond all else.  

1 Corinthians 13:8a Love never fails...

   

His Perfect Timing

Is it worth the wait knowing that he promises something even better around the corner? Is it worth resisting the urge to take it all now?  Is it worth redeeming the time?

What does it mean to redeem the time? It means to be patient and obedient unto our maker.  It means to make the most of the time you have now,  rather than to constantly wait for tomorrow.  God is molding us....shaping us even through the small things in life, and if we are always trying to rush through today, we will miss the lessons He wants to teach us through everyday life circumstances. We need to be willing to view any season as a gift from God.  Even the hard and hurtful times can be used to glorify our Maker if our focus is on pleasing Him.

Paul says in Philipians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

If we are truly Trusting our Lord, we will be able to make the most of our time because we will know that wherever we are, it is by God's will.  We are His children and the sheep of His pasture.  His plan is not to harm us, but to profit us and to strengthen us through everything. He is The Alpha and Omega, our beginning and our end.  He is not within space or time.  He is.  He has planned our steps and our days. We need to sit back, be still, and allow God to take control of our lives.  We need to trust Him, knowing that everything will work out for the good of those(us) who love Him. 

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
   I am like a weaned child with its mother;
   like a weaned child I am content.  Psalm 131:12

My Love.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Be Still

Be still and know that I am God. Be still.  BE STILL. It is like a loud whistle shrieking at my restless heart.  My spirit does not agree. It yearns to take control. It yearns to GO, to DOMINATE. It screams at me to do more.  "If I had only said this. If I could only stand up now. If I could only change them."

Be Still.

Is it really out of my hands, or is there more I could do?  Could I change this if I tried just a little harder?  If only I had more strength.  If only I knew how to handle this better. If only I was smarter.

And once again, be still. 

Softly and quietly, it is whispered to me over and over again.  "In my time my child, in my time."  He begs me to hand it all to Him.  He asks for me to put it in His hands.  He desires my heart like no one has ever desired it before.  He says it to me again and again. "Be still my child.  Give it to me. Whatever it is, lay it at my feet. All your hurt, your pain, your guilt....hand it to me. I will take care of it and give you the desires of your heart."

Why is it so hard to hand it to someone?  Why is it so hard to give it to someone who WANTS it?  He WANTS to make it better for us, because He doesn't want to see His child in harm.

I am His cherished one.  Why can't I see it?  Why is my pride and stubbornness too thick to let Him in? I long to give it to Him, but I also long for control.

Lord, teach me to let go. Teach me to BE STILL. To wait on you and your ever perfect timing.  You are good oh God.  My faith in you can not be in vain for you are love and your mercy is everlasting.  Calm my heart, comfort my heart oh God and still my restless spirit.