~Reflection~

Good morning girls of God's heart!  Take a moment to read this and sit with it.  What does this mean to you?  We work so hard to keep up a particular image for our friends, our family, our co-workers, this world... but guess what?  You are made in GOD'S image! Rest in the knowledge that you are precious to Him and He loves you just the way you are.  No pretenses, no ego.  You are His and that is enough.

Inspiration

Iamradical4jesus.tumblr.com

Let Go and Let God

Sometimes the unknown can get the best of us. What if THIS and what if THAT. As time goes on we can be consumed with the "what ifs." We can also be consumed by time frames. When is God going to do this or when is God gonna open this door or that door? As Christians these can be daily thoughts.

This is something I am currently battling. THE UNKNOWN. Something BIG is about to happen in my life. Exciting and very nerve racking for me because it is so life changing and I just don't know what it's going to be like. I recently have been frustrated because I just don't know when it's exactly going to happen. It's all I had been thinking about. It wasn't until yesterday that I finally realized that me worrying about "WHEN" won't change a thing! God has everything all planned out and I really don't need to worry about it. It is in His timing and not when I think I'm ready for it.

So, I am choosing to step aside, give all my worries, concerns and frustrations to Jesus and just let it happen when God planned for it to happen. I'm going to choose to have peace and be worry free.

When it is God's  plan it will just happen and will be even better than we imagined! He will give us the desires of our hearts!

LET GO AND LET GOD!

What is your main priority?

Have you ever felt like there needed to be some changes in your life? Most importantly, changes of putting more effort into your time spent with God? Yes, we know He's always there, always listening, and will never leave nor forsake us, so is that why we neglect time with Him sometimes? It's almost like oh well He's always there and will be there tomorrow but right now I'm just so stressed and busy. You can wait just a minute right God? SO wrong, but you know what? God really is always there and always waiting for us to come to Him. For fellowship, conversation and friendship because that is what we were created for in the first place.

There are some important things to remember when we are too busy for God.

1. Life sucks when God's priorities aren't first.
 
 It seems like when God isn't first then everything falls apart. We fall into wrong thinking. We put church off and we backslide. Everyone does this at one point or another so there is no need to feel horrible. Faith is a fight! So keep fighting! I know I fall guilty of this. I start thinking negatively about situations in my life and then somehow everything feels like it just sucks, but that's not true!

2. God requires our TIME, TALENT & TREASURES
    
Time= prayer, praise, worship, reading our bibles and going to church

Talent= Using what God gave me for HIM. Volunteer at church also. God gave us our talents for his kingdom purposes anyways.

Treasure= tithes. When we tithe the windows of Heaven are open for us. It's like having life insurance. We are protected against the schemes of the enemy and our children are protected!
     
So, if we are needing change in our life and a fresh fire for Him to set our priorities straight then look to His word! The bible is our life manual. It's a way for God to speak to us anytime we want. How cool is that?

When we dive head first into out life manuals every single day we are getting drenched in His word and promises. When we are drenched with His word and promises then we are motivated to set out priorities straight and put Jesus first!

So, what is your main priority?

I just can't help the way that I am

It's been a few weeks since I wrote about my "Fix Me" posts #1 & #2. I have had more insight on it in a Bible Study I've been doing with my sister.

You ever hear someone say or have you ever said... "I can't help the way that I am." or "It's that time of the month." or "I was raised this way, I don't know any different." or just flat out "I don't know any better."

I know I have fallen into those sayings before. Sometimes I literally feel like I can't help it.

Most likely you have 2 choices to chose from - listen to God or listen to the devil. Obey or sin. Speak of love or speak hate.

Romans 8:13 -- Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. 

The truth is, you can. If you are a believer in Christ, you can.

He gave you the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 -- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Galatians 5:16 -- So I say, live by the Spirit, & you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Just remember the next time you speak negatively to someone because they have wronged you, you are responsible for your actions and in Christ you can do all things. Obey Him and that person that did you wrong, speak love to them. Let Christ shine through you.

Phil 4:13

(source)

 

God's word tells us we are loved! He tells us we are gifted and are a blessed nation.

We can do ANYTHING God calls us to do because HE gives us strength.

 

I love this wallpaper I found on the web. Simply because on the left...those words...they can be stumbling blocks for us. Friendships...Marriage...Job...Accomplishments...CONFIDENCE. WOW...right? I don't know about you, but this verse needs to be imprinted in my heart and repeated daily. I CAN DO ALL THINGS...ALL THINGS...through Christ who STRENGTHENS me!

All we have to do is seek him. God does not want us to fail.

 

 

At the feet of Jesus

 

 

Everything we ever need is at His feet. In His presence. Worshiping, praising, taking all the expensive oil that you have and washing His feet. That expensive oil represents what means the most to us and laying it at His feet.

 

What would you give up for Him? Would it be the last drop of your perfume?

 

I have found that by constantly being at his feet, there is peace and a love that you cannot explain. Understanding and revelation. You cannot find these things anywhere else.

 

At His feet there is forgiveness, healing and miracles.

 

 

What is so important about being at his feet? By living at His feet you are positioned for success and God does not let anyone miss their mark when they are at the feet of Jesus.

 

 We can learn so much from Mary of Bethany.

 

She positioned herself at Jesus' feet and gave her most fragrant expensive oil that she had.

 

When you read the story of Martha & Mary in Luke 10: 38-42 you notice 3 things.

 

1. Martha hears & listens

2. Martha asks

3. Martha gives.

 

When Martha gave she gave what was costly and broken for her. She gave a very fragrant offering so that meant everyone had to smell it. This costly offering was prized by Jesus.

 

She sits and hears

She sits and asks

She sits and gives

 

These are the 3 things we should be doing at His feet.

 

Jesus wasn't as concerned with what she was giving him but the time she was spending with Him. Yes it was costly but it's not what you give but the time you spend with God.

 

People rebuked her for giving such a costly thing... Mark 14:4

They didn't understand and thought it was wasteful.

Jesus got on to them saying, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." Matthew 26:10

 

When we give something to God like our time, praise, worship and money, many people do not understand. They see it as too costly... but when you are at the feet of Jesus nothing is too good for Him! We are willing to do anything because we know he will always take care of us.

 

We can stay at the feet by worshiping, praising, worshiping and seeking his face all the time. Be in a state of constant communion. Remember it's about a relationship with Him.

 

So I remind you to LIVE AT THE FEET OF JESUS because at the feet of Jesus that is where we find our strength.

 

 

 

You are Loved

God's love for us can be overwhelming when we really think about it. How is it that we can feel enveloped in his embrace and He's not even physically here? It amazes me. HE amazes me. This love is unexplainable and undeniable and nothing can separate us from God's love.

What is overwhelming is that the love of Christ does not waiver. Our actions, thoughts, words and life does not determine the amount of love He gives us.

Who we are on this earth is not determined by the names we are given but by the relationship that we have with Jesus. THAT makes us who we are and that is where our love for God deepens. No matter our circumstances, obstacles, triumphs and tribulations, we will always be drawn to go deeper. Our souls cry out if we are not constantly tapping into deeper waters. Quenching our spiritual thirst. Never let where you are determine who you are in Christ. Our earthly troubles should not change our love for Him. He is always a good God. Faithful to His word and we can always count on the fact that He has already ordered our steps. NOTHING that happens in this life catches God by surprise. We can trust Him.

God is not looking for perfection, He is looking for a pursuit. We are not perfect but in God's eyes we are. He sees no flaws in us. He sees us as beautiful. White as snow thanks to the blood of Jesus. All because he loves us. He doesn't judge. He forgives

My prayer for you is that you will receive a fresh fire. A deep longing and desire to know Him more. To love more deeply and that nothing will satisfy but His love. Love Him with a violent love. When you are in love with Jesus anything is possible.

So I encourage you to go deeper. Wherever you are God will meet you there. Seek His face and remember, Jesus LOVES the hell out of you!

You make all things...

All things work together for my good.

"Jesus Culture...Your Love Never Fails"

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails