Saturday, August 22, 2015

The Story

I watched this last night! Worth the 6 minutes-it can change your life! 
It changed mine! 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Abide in Me

My last post was about clinging. Clinging to God is a daily necessity. In the good (that was totally a blessing from you God) moments, in the bad (I really should not have done/said that) moments and for every moment in between I need to constantly cling to God. The word God has impressed upon me these last few days is abide

In the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus talks about abiding in Him. Dictionary.com defines the word "abide" as "to remain, to continue, to stay." Here is what Jesus tells us:

Abide in me, and I in you. 
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, 
neither can you, unless you abide in me. 
I am the vine; you are the branches. 
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, 
for apart from me you can do nothing. 
John 15:4-5 (italic emphasis mine)

This summer God has given me the gift of time. This gift has allowed me to immerse myself in the Word of God, to listen to sermons and podcasts, to read books that teach me more about God and to spend more time in prayer (which is still a weakness in my life). 

Abiding with God is vital to a fruitful life. Remaining in Him, continuing in Him, staying in Him- whichever word you choose to use is great. Why do we need to abide in Him? Because apart from Him we can do NOTHING. Let me say it again- APART FROM JESUS WE CAN DO NOTHING!!!!! I have learned this truth the hard way and can say from experience that without Jesus life is meaningless and futile. 

Every moment we need to abide in Him. He lives within us. Wherever we go, whatever we do, He is there. He gives us hope, He has walked where we have been, He knows our pain, our suffering. He gave His life for us. He conquered death and the grave. His death means eternal life for those who choose to accept Him. If you want to invite Jesus into your heart and life here are some verses from Romans that tell you how. 


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Clinging

After a morning of worshiping my awesome God, I found out some news that ripped my healing heart open again. Over the last 9 months, I have seen Psalm 34:18 in action- "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit." It has come alive and I have felt the Lord lovingly and tenderly putting the pieces of my heart back together. Today I found out that my ex got married recently. This was one of the reasons we broke up-because he never wanted to get married. But things change I guess. 

Anyway, he really isn't the point. God is. Despite the pain and hurt I feel, I know God is still sovereign. He is still trustworthy and faithful. He is still with me and knows exactly how I feel. I am clinging to Him. C-L-I-N-G-I-N-G to His promises and to Him because He hasn't changed. I know that He has the perfect plan for my life and that everything that He is working out in my life is for my good and His glory. God knows my dreams and desires. He knows my heart. He knows everything. I can hand it over to God in prayer and let it go. I can have true rest in Him. 

However, knowing this and doing this is not always so easy. There have been tears. There have been lies from the enemy whispered in my ear that is was me who wasn't good enough to be chosen as his wife, that I always fall short, that no one wants me. That's where the choice comes in. The choice to believe the lies or to cling to God and trust Him completely. Today I am choosing to trust God and have faith that He has me exactly where He wants me. Is there something ripping you apart today? Are you believing the lies of the enemy? Cling to God and trust Him. He alone will give you rest! 

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

God, Girls and Giggles

I cannot believe it has already been over three weeks since I returned from vacationing in Michigan. I was there for just under a week, but felt like I could stay a lot longer. I didn't go for what I could see there, but for the who I could see there-my college roommate Kelly. 

God brought us together 14 years ago at Cedarville University in a freshman dorm called Printy. We were Unit 17A, Room B! Two very different girls, two very different personalities, one awesomely sovereign God! We roomed together our freshman and sophomore years and I am so blessed that 10 years after graduating from college God still allows us to spend time together despite living 13 hours apart. She is one of my best friends-you know the friend you don't or can't see for years, but can pick up right where you left off as if no time has passed? Yup-she is that kind of friend. 

A friend that I can truly be myself around and I know that she will accept me no matter what. A friend that lets me love on her children and has raised them in a way that they love you back easily. She is a wise friend, someone who I look up to about marriage and children. Just being able to observe the way she and her husband have raised their four beautiful children in God's truths and continue to be His example to them not just in words, but with their actions. I truly admire and respect the love they have for Jesus, for each other, for their children and in their ministry. 

Kel and I can talk for hours and not just about silly or temporal things (which are always great!), but about the things God is teaching us, how our daily decisions revolve around Him and about following God in the future no matter how hard it becomes. I will always treasure this friendship and pray that God continues to bring us together, to build one another up and to be salt and light for Him and His glory! 

Michigan was refreshing for my heart and soul. God knew exactly what I needed! He always does and I am forever grateful that He is in charge. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. He provides everything I need at exactly the time it is needed! 


2001

2015

Linking with Inspire Me Monday, Monday Musing's, Sharing His Beauty, Titus 2 Tuesday and Faith-Filled Friday