You know what I don't like nowadays? Relationships.
I hate that they're pretty much all based around fame, popularity, Instagram LIKES, and love movies....
I'm sorry(no I'm not), but happiness doesn't come from how many likes you and your significant other's candid gets on Instagram.
Love movies are unrealistic. Fame is just ridiculous and so is popularity, because no one should be put in categories. OK moving on.
I didn't realize all of this until I went through a bad relationship. A relationship that left me broken, crying all night, couldn't eat, and just felt hopeless. When you reach a point like that you really do think you'll never be whole again.. and maybe you're right. Maybe, it'll take some time for the pieces to grow back together; but you will become strong again. Eventually the tears will slow down, the thoughts about them will only come every other day or so, and you'll learn to smile again.
Then you'll catch yourself going out with friends instead of crying yourself to sleep. You'll start to notice that you feel comfortable flirting back with guys who've been trying for months. You'll actually give one of the guys a chance! You'll have fun and maybe, just MAYBE there will be a second date.
And you know what? Then there comes a day.. when your friends or family brings up their name and you can answer and be okay with it. A day where you can think about it and only feel a little discomfort, because you have finally came to the realization that you are truly better off without them.. truly better off by yourself.
Then, from that day on, you continue to get stronger and happier. You notice it. Your friends notice it and they'll tell you too! You'll start to open up about things you couldn't bare to even think about 6 months before; and you guys will talk about it then move right along.
You moved on. You made it. You are STRONG!
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand'" John 13:7
"That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Who's yours?
I've had writer's block for a couple days.. just had absolutely no idea what God wanted me to write for y'all. Then as I'm sitting here listening to music, I go through my pictures and come across Maria. For those of you who don't know her, that's just a random name with no meaning.. yet. We all have Marias in our life. I'm so glad God sent me mine.
Maria came to Faith Academy (my school) in the beginning of the year. She was a foreign exchange student from Denmark. You see, we have it really easy here in Alabama. We've all pretty much grown up knowing who Jesus is, what He did, what the Bible is, etc. That's not the case with Denmark and a lot of other places around the world. We all got a big reality check with the questions she asked. The things she asked were things we never questioned. So, of course, we had no idea how to answer some of them. The whole situation brought a lot of us closer to God and made us dig deeper in the Word for answers. She did get her answers and she was overwhelmed with the love of Christ. She wasn't at Faith Academy by accident. We were blessed with the chance to help her into salvation.
Maria isn't MY best friend by accident. She just recently left to head back to Denmark to change the culture. That girl has such a strong heart for Jesus, and compassion for making other people feel loved. Maria being saved only a couple weeks brought so many others to Christ!
When I say we all have Marias in our lives, I don't just mean foreign exchange students. I mean everyday people you come in contact with. People who make you question your salvation and make your walk with God stronger. People who, just by being around them, you can feel the love of God through them. These people aren't in your life by accident! We need accountability partners, we need people to remind us of God's unfailing love, to keep us in check. We can't always do it alone.
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:1
Friday, November 14, 2014
In Times of Trouble
Feeling depressed, anxious, worried?
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; and He delivers them from all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13
The last verse says don't be surprised at the suffering you are enduring. For there will be glory revealed! Always know God doesn't put you through your sufferings alone, He never leaves your side and He brings just the right people at the right timing. Its not your timing, it's God's.
Most of the time, we pity ourselves when we go through difficult situations. When instead we should be PRAISING the God of all comfort for what is to come! :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Those Who are Weak
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
We all have that one person who just IRKS our nerves. (not sure if that's a word, we all use it, but aren't sure what it means)
They either bother us because we are the weak ones or they are.
When people are weak, they tend to be mean or rude. They think coming off as a hard person who doesn't care about anything will cover all the pain they're experiencing. It actually does the opposite.
We all know when someone is rude to us, we're usually rude right back. Probably because it just plainly hurt our feelings and we did nothing to them. Hurting people want other people to experience what they're going through.
The reason these people never change is because their surroundings never changes.. how are they supposed to stop being negative if their atmosphere is consumed in negativity?
"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." (Psalm 34:17-20)
Why don't we try doing the complete opposite?! Next time someone is rude to you or says something that cuts deep, respond positively.
Something as simple as just smiling, patting someone on the back, asking them how their days going, how they're doing, etc., will start to change their outlook on things.
Once their outlook changes, their behavior will change.
And you know why?! Because YOU decided to make a difference! You decided to be strong, let something slide and change someone's life and they will always remember you for that.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
We all have that one person who just IRKS our nerves. (not sure if that's a word, we all use it, but aren't sure what it means)
They either bother us because we are the weak ones or they are.
When people are weak, they tend to be mean or rude. They think coming off as a hard person who doesn't care about anything will cover all the pain they're experiencing. It actually does the opposite.
We all know when someone is rude to us, we're usually rude right back. Probably because it just plainly hurt our feelings and we did nothing to them. Hurting people want other people to experience what they're going through.
The reason these people never change is because their surroundings never changes.. how are they supposed to stop being negative if their atmosphere is consumed in negativity?
"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." (Psalm 34:17-20)
Why don't we try doing the complete opposite?! Next time someone is rude to you or says something that cuts deep, respond positively.
Something as simple as just smiling, patting someone on the back, asking them how their days going, how they're doing, etc., will start to change their outlook on things.
Once their outlook changes, their behavior will change.
And you know why?! Because YOU decided to make a difference! You decided to be strong, let something slide and change someone's life and they will always remember you for that.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
I wrote these notecards a couple weeks ago.. looks like they're finally coming in handy.
Relationships
We take relationships so seriously now a days. Like honestly, would God really want us together 24/7, with no breathing room or friends? That's how highschool relationships are now! It's so sad.
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
(Proverbs 4:23 NLT)
We focus and worry about things that aren't even worth worrying about. In fact, the problem wouldn't even be there if the relationship was God-centered.
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." (Ephesians 5:21-23 NIV)
We are supposed to love God first as He has loved us, then during that time God will bring you the right person at the right timing.
There's a reason we're supposed to wait till marriage to have sex. It makes us dirty, that part of you is for your husband, and relationships that do have sexual relations end quicker. It's a fact.
"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT)
Above all else, guard your heart. Your heart isn't meant to take so much heart break and going through relationship after relationship it will. Relationships, at times, feel so right. But that's how Satan wants them to feel. He wants us to fall into temptation. Don't get me wrong, God does allow you to go through some relationships for lessons, to get stronger. But when the right one comes you will know. If your main focus is God and so is your girlfriend/boyfriend's, yall are doing it right. If you guys love Jesus more than each other, everything else will fall into place! You will be treating each other right.
(Proverbs 4:23 NLT)
Monday, November 10, 2014
Take off your Mask
Christians get called the word “FAKE” all the time. If we do something off the wall or are even “too nice” we’re hypocrites. Now a days, we aren’t allowed to change. You can’t decide to become a better person without first being called a hypocrite! I mean, come on! If you’ve ever tried to change, you’ve been called something along those lines.
Why should someone who’s trying to get rid of their bad habits be called fake? Wouldn’t calling someone a hypocrite for wanting to become a better person only make YOU look bad?
My mom says when she reads my posts or hears me talking I sound very profound and intelligent. She tells me it’s so weird because I’m not like that when it comes to History, Science, etc. she told me she’s realized it’s because it’s something I’m passionate out. So why BASH someone for being passionate about something that you’re not? If you’re not passionate then you just plainly don’t understand.
Of course there ARE people that do seem like they’re wearing masks. The people who praise Jesus in church then walk out cussing, but whose business is that? Surely not ours. None but THEIRS and GOD’s. As long as they have accepted Jesus as their Savior and know He died on the cross then they have a spot in Heaven.
It’s not your job to hold them accountable if you haven’t told them you were going to hold them accountable.
Of course, with faith comes good works.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14 NIV)
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26 NIV)
When you become saved, when you ACCEPT Jesus into your life, you want to do good for others. You have a servants heart. It is normal to give a little extra here and there, and offer your help to the needy.
Don’t let your friends who are making foolish decisions hold you back. If friends making foolish decisions hold you back from YOUR walk with God then you’re allowing them to hold you back from accomplishing all that His Plan has for you. Take off the mask, be the YOU God has called you to be, and the joy you will receive will be so overwhelming :)
Why should someone who’s trying to get rid of their bad habits be called fake? Wouldn’t calling someone a hypocrite for wanting to become a better person only make YOU look bad?
My mom says when she reads my posts or hears me talking I sound very profound and intelligent. She tells me it’s so weird because I’m not like that when it comes to History, Science, etc. she told me she’s realized it’s because it’s something I’m passionate out. So why BASH someone for being passionate about something that you’re not? If you’re not passionate then you just plainly don’t understand.
Of course there ARE people that do seem like they’re wearing masks. The people who praise Jesus in church then walk out cussing, but whose business is that? Surely not ours. None but THEIRS and GOD’s. As long as they have accepted Jesus as their Savior and know He died on the cross then they have a spot in Heaven.
It’s not your job to hold them accountable if you haven’t told them you were going to hold them accountable.
Of course, with faith comes good works.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14 NIV)
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26 NIV)
When you become saved, when you ACCEPT Jesus into your life, you want to do good for others. You have a servants heart. It is normal to give a little extra here and there, and offer your help to the needy.
Don’t let your friends who are making foolish decisions hold you back. If friends making foolish decisions hold you back from YOUR walk with God then you’re allowing them to hold you back from accomplishing all that His Plan has for you. Take off the mask, be the YOU God has called you to be, and the joy you will receive will be so overwhelming :)
Keep it up!
So, I’m sitting here studying my Bible, my sister walks in and asks what I’m doing and asks if I’m doing homework. I explain to her, it’s not homework if you enjoy it. I told her when you study the Bible, you grow in your relationship with God. It’s awesome how little kids work.. They’re curious about everything! She always wonders why I’m doing things like this and why I enjoy it and now she’s learning to enjoy it too. She’s only 8 and she loves Jesus more than any other 8 year old I know. I realize how blessed I am with her. I have the chance to show her how loved she is by her Heavenly Father. She KNOWS that I love her correctly because I love Him correctly. I help her learn her weekly Bible verses and she enjoys doing it with ME. I have to learn not to take that for granted because how often do people get to do that? If you have a little sibling please start talking to them about your love for God early because they will soak it right in. It doesn’t have to just be children. It can be parents, cousins, nephews/neices, friends. It’s so necessary in your walk with God and theirs. Everyone needs someone feeding positivity in their lives. I’m so glad I can be that for her! Jesus says to go out and make disciples and that’s what we should be doing :)
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
"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, " (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
"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, " (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
Shoes That Don't Fit
We’ve ALL had someone say something awful about us. And we all know how true or untrue it is, we still get offended. The best way to face a situation like that when it’s true, is to plainly admit it. Know what you did and move on. The sooner you do that, the sooner people will stop talking about it.
But the untrue rumors are the ones that really cut us deep, aren’t they? Like how could someone say that about ME? Why would someone even believe it? We’ve all had those thoughts. We worry about what others think is true instead of focusing on what we KNOW is true. What God tells us is true. We should know we are daughters/sons of a King, we are valuable, precious and made in His image.
Even if we DO mess up, those things are still true! We don’t get stripped of the title! Don’t get discouraged, ask God for forgiveness and forgive yourself.
Why DO we get so upset about what others are saying about us? We know getting mad and lashing out only makes it seem true. Why wear shoes that don’t fit? Most of the time the rumors aren’t even close to true.
We’re worried because we think someone will actually believe it and think differently of us.
Don’t be insecure, be secure and CONFIDENT that you are the daughter of the ONE TRUE KING. Being confident about your value and worth isn’t a bad thing. It’s one of the best things you can do. There’s a difference between confidence and cockiness.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” (Hebrews 10:35 NIV)
I’m not telling you to be cocky. I’m saying, walk with confidence, know what’s true and not true, and just laugh about the things that aren’t! You know your worth, GOD knows your worth, your true friends know your worth and the people that don’t are missing out :)
“What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man” (NLT Luke 6:22)
WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! :)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14 NIV)
But the untrue rumors are the ones that really cut us deep, aren’t they? Like how could someone say that about ME? Why would someone even believe it? We’ve all had those thoughts. We worry about what others think is true instead of focusing on what we KNOW is true. What God tells us is true. We should know we are daughters/sons of a King, we are valuable, precious and made in His image.
Even if we DO mess up, those things are still true! We don’t get stripped of the title! Don’t get discouraged, ask God for forgiveness and forgive yourself.
Why DO we get so upset about what others are saying about us? We know getting mad and lashing out only makes it seem true. Why wear shoes that don’t fit? Most of the time the rumors aren’t even close to true.
We’re worried because we think someone will actually believe it and think differently of us.
Don’t be insecure, be secure and CONFIDENT that you are the daughter of the ONE TRUE KING. Being confident about your value and worth isn’t a bad thing. It’s one of the best things you can do. There’s a difference between confidence and cockiness.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” (Hebrews 10:35 NIV)
I’m not telling you to be cocky. I’m saying, walk with confidence, know what’s true and not true, and just laugh about the things that aren’t! You know your worth, GOD knows your worth, your true friends know your worth and the people that don’t are missing out :)
“What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man” (NLT Luke 6:22)
WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! :)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14 NIV)
What do I do Now?
Sometimes it’s hard to decide what to do after your saved. It’s like “well what do I do now?”
If you desire to grow, the real question is “what can I do to grow spiritually?”
It’s very critical to understand how important our spiritual growth is to God. You can be saved 3 months and be a spiritual giant, or saved 10 years and still be a spiritual baby.
You have to be consistent in the study of the Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
If you are discouraged, lost, feeling convicted, or just bored open up the Bible! Yes, a big old book of words that we don’t understand seems pretty boring. Find a translation of the Bible you understand! (I use NIV)
We must understand and apply the Bible’s truths in our everyday life.
You must also have fellowship with God and other Christians. Through communication with God, we can praise Him, ask for help and guidance, and receive discipline.
The most important aspect of the Christian walk is displaying unconditional love just as Christ loves us. We are to strive to be more like Him daily. These words are in RED:
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27
Also in red,
“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in Heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
As Christians, we are to be servants, to put others before ourselves. It’s so simple too. We could go out of our way to help someone, giving someone a ride, some extra money, or just simply praying for them.
The Holy Spirit is with us to help overcome any struggles, difficulties, and be victorious and STRONG through the power of God!
If you desire to grow, the real question is “what can I do to grow spiritually?”
It’s very critical to understand how important our spiritual growth is to God. You can be saved 3 months and be a spiritual giant, or saved 10 years and still be a spiritual baby.
You have to be consistent in the study of the Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
If you are discouraged, lost, feeling convicted, or just bored open up the Bible! Yes, a big old book of words that we don’t understand seems pretty boring. Find a translation of the Bible you understand! (I use NIV)
We must understand and apply the Bible’s truths in our everyday life.
You must also have fellowship with God and other Christians. Through communication with God, we can praise Him, ask for help and guidance, and receive discipline.
The most important aspect of the Christian walk is displaying unconditional love just as Christ loves us. We are to strive to be more like Him daily. These words are in RED:
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27
Also in red,
“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in Heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
As Christians, we are to be servants, to put others before ourselves. It’s so simple too. We could go out of our way to help someone, giving someone a ride, some extra money, or just simply praying for them.
The Holy Spirit is with us to help overcome any struggles, difficulties, and be victorious and STRONG through the power of God!
Down Days
We all have those days where we’re just down. It seems like nothing is in our favor and sometimes we just hate life! You have to realize that negativity is coming from somewhere. God isn’t making you feel that way. It’s the devil attacking you in your most sensitive areas, the places you leave wide open.
We should know we have authority over the enemy; we have it because through Christ he gives us power over Satan.
But… You are only as powerful as your relationship with the ONE who GAVE you power. It’s your choice how you use it.
Depression is real, darkness is real, evil is real.
But we have to be confident in what God can do.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 NIV)
Darkness can and will rule your life.. If you allow it.
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 NIV)
There is POWER in the name of Jesus, there is power in PRAYER. God will deliver us from darkness and bring us back into the light.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NIV)
God is greater than any sickness, any battles, anything we think we can’t overcome. All we have to do is trust in Him, trust He will take us out of that situation. Because honestly, how great is your relationship with God if you can’t trust Him? It’d be pretty much the same way with relationships with boyfriends/girlfriends, friends, family.. What’s left if there’s no trust?
This is why taking steps of faith is so important, we learn through our walk in faith how much we truly can lean on God. There’s going to come a day when you have to completely trust in Him and you have to be READY for it.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.” (2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV)
We should know we have authority over the enemy; we have it because through Christ he gives us power over Satan.
But… You are only as powerful as your relationship with the ONE who GAVE you power. It’s your choice how you use it.
Depression is real, darkness is real, evil is real.
But we have to be confident in what God can do.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 NIV)
Darkness can and will rule your life.. If you allow it.
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 NIV)
There is POWER in the name of Jesus, there is power in PRAYER. God will deliver us from darkness and bring us back into the light.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NIV)
God is greater than any sickness, any battles, anything we think we can’t overcome. All we have to do is trust in Him, trust He will take us out of that situation. Because honestly, how great is your relationship with God if you can’t trust Him? It’d be pretty much the same way with relationships with boyfriends/girlfriends, friends, family.. What’s left if there’s no trust?
This is why taking steps of faith is so important, we learn through our walk in faith how much we truly can lean on God. There’s going to come a day when you have to completely trust in Him and you have to be READY for it.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.” (2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV)
What am I Called to do?
A lot of people think God’s going to direct them exactly where they’re supposed to be, tell them the right college, friends, major, but that’s just not true. God does lead you to the right college, He does help you decide the right major for you, and guide you to the right friends.
We knows a couple things about God’s will for us already!
We will be saved, be filled with the Holy Spirit, become pure, we will be blessed, but also suffer for doing what is right. And you can find scriptures to back all these things up! If you follow Him, you are free to make the choices you desire!
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
God’s will isn’t all about what you do, it’s WHO you are. It’s who God has called you to be, and He will make that known to you. It isn’t something to be stressed about. You WILL know when He wants you to know.
But some people do want to know their specific calling. God does sometimes give personalized guidance, but other times He doesn’t. How are we supposed to know if we’re making the right one? We need to seek God and pray about it. Pray for WISDOM and GUIDANCE.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5 NIV)
God will not let you down. You will know when you’ve made the correct decision AND you will be blessed. He will truly give you the desires of your heart and all you have to do is live for Him and follow His commandments.
We knows a couple things about God’s will for us already!
We will be saved, be filled with the Holy Spirit, become pure, we will be blessed, but also suffer for doing what is right. And you can find scriptures to back all these things up! If you follow Him, you are free to make the choices you desire!
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
God’s will isn’t all about what you do, it’s WHO you are. It’s who God has called you to be, and He will make that known to you. It isn’t something to be stressed about. You WILL know when He wants you to know.
But some people do want to know their specific calling. God does sometimes give personalized guidance, but other times He doesn’t. How are we supposed to know if we’re making the right one? We need to seek God and pray about it. Pray for WISDOM and GUIDANCE.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5 NIV)
God will not let you down. You will know when you’ve made the correct decision AND you will be blessed. He will truly give you the desires of your heart and all you have to do is live for Him and follow His commandments.
Who are you pleasing?
It seems at times, us christians, are more focused on how we present ourselves and who we are impressing. Don’t get me wrong, a good presentation of ourselves is always great. But that should already apply.. accepting Christ into your life will change your heart, make you want to fix your personality and bad habits.
God didn’t tell us to go out and be friends with everyone; He told us to go and spread the gospel to every nation. Every NATION.. I don’t know about you, but I’m more focused on bringing as many people as possible to Heaven with me rather than making myself look good.
-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. (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
Even God, Himself, says few is better than a lot of unreliable friends.
-One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)
Life is better with someone who helps you make the right choices, someone that checks on you and someone who just straight up corrects you and holds you accountable. Which is why we should all have accountability partners. That’s what they’re there for! To help us in our walk with God.
But who are you pleasing? Your friends or God? We can do things for people all day, we’re supposed to! We have a servant’s heart. But sometimes you do have to take a step back and think.. Why am I so worried about this one person instead of focusing on what God wants to fix in ME? It’s OKAY to be selfish. Don’t let the atmosphere of being around fun people get you distracted from God’s plan for your life. Know WHOSE you are. Know what you’re capable of and go beyond it! We might be way over our head with all the things we’re doing.. But what if that’s exactly where God wants you to be?
Who are you pleasing?
God didn’t tell us to go out and be friends with everyone; He told us to go and spread the gospel to every nation. Every NATION.. I don’t know about you, but I’m more focused on bringing as many people as possible to Heaven with me rather than making myself look good.
-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. (Matthew 28:19 NIV)
Even God, Himself, says few is better than a lot of unreliable friends.
-One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)
Life is better with someone who helps you make the right choices, someone that checks on you and someone who just straight up corrects you and holds you accountable. Which is why we should all have accountability partners. That’s what they’re there for! To help us in our walk with God.
But who are you pleasing? Your friends or God? We can do things for people all day, we’re supposed to! We have a servant’s heart. But sometimes you do have to take a step back and think.. Why am I so worried about this one person instead of focusing on what God wants to fix in ME? It’s OKAY to be selfish. Don’t let the atmosphere of being around fun people get you distracted from God’s plan for your life. Know WHOSE you are. Know what you’re capable of and go beyond it! We might be way over our head with all the things we’re doing.. But what if that’s exactly where God wants you to be?
Who are you pleasing?
Who are you Talking to?
I’ve shared my testimony, but not everyone got a chance to hear it. I’ve been through some tough things.. And when I say tough, I seriously mean it. When I was younger (6) me and my mom got held hostage for a couple days, not gonna go into full detail, but it was a miracle we made it out.
Every guy I’ve dated has cheated on me, then my past relationship was a very abusive one. I felt like I deserved it, I didn’t want to get out of it. Through the abuse, I still loved him. I still love him to this day, the person I thought he was. I went crazy over it, I was a completely different person. My mom didn’t know what to do with me!
I attempted suicide at least 3 times, first time I woke up in the hospital and they said I shouldn’t have made it. The next two times I didn’t even go to the hospital, my mom didn’t even know, yet I survived. You know why I survived? Cause I’m here for a PURPOSE! God wasn’t finished with me yet. He still isn’t. I was always a party girl. No, I didn’t do drugs or sleep around but I loved the atmosphere. I loved the attention. But no matter how good that makes you feel, you’re still missing something. And you can feel it too. A strong relationship with God is what’s missing.
My dad doesn’t want me involved in “his immediate family”, how a father could say that to his daughter? I don’t know. We don’t speak anymore, but I have learned to forgive him. I’ve forgiven everyone who has hurt me because even though I fail on a daily basis, my God still forgives me and forgets it as soon as He does.
It took a lot for me to change my life around, I had to move on with my life and leave my friends behind. I had to be selfish because at that moment, I wasn’t the bigger influence. I can now say I am and I give all the credit to God.
I’ve been through a lot and people wonder how I’m so strong. It’s because I know God’s working in me and He’ll never give me anything I can’t handle. I don’t see the big picture, but He does. And that’s what keeps me going. I preached on “Why bad things happen to good people”. You can watch it here:
TESTIMONY
God isn’t a punisher. He doesn’t look at what you did last weekend and decide to put you through hell. Instead he allows us to go through struggles so we become more mature, so that we’re ready for the bigger things that are to come. It isn’t all about the struggles. He blesses us in so many ways, we just tend to focus on bad stuff happening around us instead of the good.
People say I inspire them, it’s definitely hard to believe, but I take it very seriously. I know a lot of people watch what I do and how I do it and I use that as an encouragement to keep being me, the me God has called me to be!
Every guy I’ve dated has cheated on me, then my past relationship was a very abusive one. I felt like I deserved it, I didn’t want to get out of it. Through the abuse, I still loved him. I still love him to this day, the person I thought he was. I went crazy over it, I was a completely different person. My mom didn’t know what to do with me!
I attempted suicide at least 3 times, first time I woke up in the hospital and they said I shouldn’t have made it. The next two times I didn’t even go to the hospital, my mom didn’t even know, yet I survived. You know why I survived? Cause I’m here for a PURPOSE! God wasn’t finished with me yet. He still isn’t. I was always a party girl. No, I didn’t do drugs or sleep around but I loved the atmosphere. I loved the attention. But no matter how good that makes you feel, you’re still missing something. And you can feel it too. A strong relationship with God is what’s missing.
My dad doesn’t want me involved in “his immediate family”, how a father could say that to his daughter? I don’t know. We don’t speak anymore, but I have learned to forgive him. I’ve forgiven everyone who has hurt me because even though I fail on a daily basis, my God still forgives me and forgets it as soon as He does.
It took a lot for me to change my life around, I had to move on with my life and leave my friends behind. I had to be selfish because at that moment, I wasn’t the bigger influence. I can now say I am and I give all the credit to God.
I’ve been through a lot and people wonder how I’m so strong. It’s because I know God’s working in me and He’ll never give me anything I can’t handle. I don’t see the big picture, but He does. And that’s what keeps me going. I preached on “Why bad things happen to good people”. You can watch it here:
TESTIMONY
God isn’t a punisher. He doesn’t look at what you did last weekend and decide to put you through hell. Instead he allows us to go through struggles so we become more mature, so that we’re ready for the bigger things that are to come. It isn’t all about the struggles. He blesses us in so many ways, we just tend to focus on bad stuff happening around us instead of the good.
People say I inspire them, it’s definitely hard to believe, but I take it very seriously. I know a lot of people watch what I do and how I do it and I use that as an encouragement to keep being me, the me God has called me to be!
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