Friday, February 11, 2011

You Can Make a Difference!

Do you know what I love most about serving God? That God doesn't put the same job expectations on me as the world does. This job doesn't require a degree, the ability to write an essay, or meet a certain age requirement, it requires me to show God's love through actions and sometimes words. Sometimes it's as easy as smiling at a stranger, whom you had no idea was having a bad day. Maybe it's holding the door for someone or listening to an older person tell their past stories.  I love that I can feel special, important and worthy in a world that wants me to feel unloved, lonely and discouraged from caring for others. 


There are so many people in this world that need Christ.So many people that are lost and need us to plant a seed in their hearts. We might be planting the first seed, we may be tending to the immature garden or we may be the ones who see the ripe fruit. It does not matter what step we're working on with someone else. All stages are necessary and need love.


YOU can make a difference in this broken world by planting seeds of God's love. YES ONE person can bring many to God, leading them to salvation. Look around at the people near you everyday. Can you reach out to someone, can you help them? God has commanded us to spread His word and to love. Let's take our eyes off ourselves and fulfill this request. Take time for someone. When you take care of others, God will take care of you. You will not grow weary, for God will give you rest.  You will not stumble and fall, for God will be there to catch you. You will soar on wings like eagles. - Isaiah 40:31




For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. (Romans 14:17-19)



Thursday, February 10, 2011

You will be secure, because there is hope...

Insecurity comes from a mindset we have about ourselves. People react in different ways when affected by insecurity. Some folks will hide this quality and become loud and overbearing so that others will not be able to see the fragile layer underneath. Others will become quite and unsocialable in a hopeful attempt to hide this lack of self worth. 


Insecurity - a deep sense of doubt about your worth and place in the world - is never God's will for you.  But as a woman living in a culture that's constantly telling you you're not enough - attractive enough, smart enough, rich enough, or failing to measure up in some other way - you must be intentional about viewing yourself the way God sees you rather than giving into the world's pressures. 


Insecurity generally stems from something that happened in the past. It could be mentally (rejection, unacceptance) or it can be physical (traumatic event, accident, violence). Its all about your emotional makeup and a general lack of love. Fortunately when we are children our bodies have a natural sense of self defense which helps us get through life's tough issues. Unfortunately, as we get older and these forms of abuse go on "unhandled", our hearts do not heal properly, and we grow up with an imbalance in our personality. We may or may not have recognized  insecurity in ourselves. We most certainly do not want others to know it's there. That's okay! They don't have to know. This is a situation between you and God. Let me share something with you: God knows all about it. He always did. He knows, he understands, he feels your inner pain. And he wants to do something about it because He loves you. God wants us to bring it all to Him in prayer. All the pain, all the fear, all the anxiety, all the trouble, all the questions, all the unstableness- take it to the cross and lay it at the feet of Jesus. He understands that you are feeling in-superior and lack the confidence you were created to have. 
Child, you are worth far more than you could ever imagine. You were created to be somebody and you were created to do wondrous things in this life. Don't let the enemy steal your success! God wants to fulfill your every goal and dream. Come to Him and allow Him to heal your insecurities. Look to Him to find confidence and stability. Your past does not have to direct your future. 


I pray that God will break your chains of self doubt and may God set your feet upon a rock! May you be filled with God's love and mighty power today. May you feel His presence working in your life this very moment. May you be blessed with a secure spirit.



“You will be secure, because there is hope . . .” Job 11:18


“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2


“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16


“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2


“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Drowning in Discouragement



When the problems around you seem to be caving in and start taking over our peace-filled living space.... When nothing seems to be going the way you expected.... When you ask yourself, what else could possibly go wrong in my life? 
This, dear friends is discouragement! Discouragement is defined as “a feeling of despair in the face of obstacles; or a state of distraught and loss of sense of enthusiasm, drive or courage.” Check yourself: Does this sound like you?


Everyone will have their share of discouragement at some point in their lifetime. However, our approach to managing our discouragement will distinguish us from others. Discouragement not only hits folks flat in the face today, but there are several accounts in the Bible of this state of mind. The Devil has learned to attack the minds of people, making them discouraged and ultimately depressed. It is his goal to entrap people and discourage them. 
Don't let the enemy win!! There is a battle going on and God is fighting for you!But, you must stay encouraged and faithful.


Jesus does not promise us a perfect life on earth, but He does desire us to have a balance in life and He promises to carry us through those hard times. We will pass through some situations and trials that may incapacitate our joy. And still we’ve been promised victory in this world over them!


“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.” -Psalm 69:1-2


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33


Don't let your feelings and emotions take over your life. God would never put negative feelings in your mind. Remember who is feeding you these lies. Remember who is trying to steal your joy and peace. Remember that God is for your success and is not a God of dissatisfaction, discontentment, nor discouragement. God will lift your spirits and make all things works together for your good. -Romans 8:28


Peace and victory to you beloved!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made











I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. - Psalm 139:14-16



To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12


In today's society we sure have a hard time accepting each other for the unique individual that God created. God created each of us do be different for His purposes. Each unique quality about a person is special in God's eyes. From the person who speaks their mind easily to the one who sits quietly in the corner not wanting to be noticed. God gave each his own personality for them to work wonders in God's Kingdom. Where the world sees these people as different and annoying God sees beauty and perfection. Please don't get me wrong, I am not justifying the person whom acts difficult and rude. Even this behavior stinks in God's nostril's. 


Everyone has a story and not one person will know the details in a person's life, only God knows everything. Your past life affects your present life, correct? Everyone has had something happen to them in the past that they may not have shared with you and yet it reflects in their attitude toward you. We can forgive and lift that person into the hands of God to deal with. 


We were not created to be superwomen! Just women who are created to be super!


The first Bible verse my son was taught in Pre-School was "I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made". It was great, he walked around everywhere he went practicing this verse. To be teaching our children how special God has created them is the utmost importance. Kids today have it rough, kids can be mean. To instill this positive way of thinking about themselves will be a benefit when the lies of the enemy come on strong. 


Practice this verse "I am fearfully and wonderfully made".
Does your soul know this well?