Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Wisdom in God's book...
Saving souls, loving, covering sins, being patient, not being self-seeking, not being envious… this is all wisdom in God’s book. Establish your hearts. Wait for the Lord. This is good and this is right. He will work. He is working. Though you may not see results or feel anything special, dare to believe that God is real, He is alive, He cares, He is present! Exercise faith. Let the faith grow deep. It’s His work that we must yield to. Stop striving and just believe. No amount of “good works”, medals, plaques, awards, trophies, or titles will get you closer to God or closer to heaven. It’s about putting your trust in Him, believing His word, obeying His commands. He will come. He already is with you, if you’ve put your trust in Him.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Let go and let God
Ever hear that phrase? Let go and let God. And guess what... letting go means letting go! We often fail at this. Perhaps that is because we need something to cling to. On top of telling ourselves to let go, we should also remind ourselves to cling -- cling to Jesus! Without that, we might find ourselves searching for something to look up to. If that thing isn't Jesus we are going to find ourselves wandering, weary, empty, and dry. Only when we turn to Jesus can we have true peace, fulfillment, hope, and joy. Not like what the devil throws at you -- an endless vicious cycle of delusion and torment! When our eyes are opened we can realize that the emptiness inside of us is meant for the Savior to fulfill. We were created to have a relationship with Him. He promises hope and peace and everlasting life. It's our responsibility to exercise faith that He is who He says He is.
Hebrews 11:1&6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [...] But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Psalm 119:37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Psalm 27:13-14 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Hebrews 11:1&6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [...] But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Psalm 119:37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Psalm 27:13-14 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Moment by moment...
It's easy for us to look at the big picture of what needs to be done and get overwhelmed! I learned for me, it's better to make a list and do one thing at a time. And then cross it off the list! I've noticed on crazier days I can feel so unmotivated and act already defeated! This is not good... We shouldn't give up so soon. Sometimes we need to push ourselves to keep going and do the right thing, even if we don't feel we have the strength or willpower to do it.
Discipline is an admirable trait. Doing what's right despite the circumstances... Persevering through the hard times and through the mundane times.... Discipline helps a person stay consistent and on task. It also helps one to avoid the trap of laziness, which can be fallen into so easily! There is a time and place for rest... but rest and laziness are two different things....
On that note... make a goal to stay disciplined. Don't get overwhelmed with what's ahead. Trust that God wants to move and be your strength. He does. And if you feel like you can't go on, let go and let God. Stay faithful to His commands. He will be faithful to you. That's who He is.
Discipline is an admirable trait. Doing what's right despite the circumstances... Persevering through the hard times and through the mundane times.... Discipline helps a person stay consistent and on task. It also helps one to avoid the trap of laziness, which can be fallen into so easily! There is a time and place for rest... but rest and laziness are two different things....
On that note... make a goal to stay disciplined. Don't get overwhelmed with what's ahead. Trust that God wants to move and be your strength. He does. And if you feel like you can't go on, let go and let God. Stay faithful to His commands. He will be faithful to you. That's who He is.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Pacifiers
Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling sad or down, there is usually something you turn to to make things a little better? Maybe it's friends. Maybe it's a vice. Maybe something else... For me, I like to do makeup to feel good of myself, or sometimes I turn to comfort food. Sometimes I even take long naps (when I have the time) to make time pass by quickly. Some of these things are not necessarily bad while some are. But that's not the point... The point is, why do we turn to such petty things to make ourselves feel better? We like to ease the pain with something temporary like a pacifier or a bandaid. Well I got news for you -- those are only temporary! And only meant to be temporary. Just like a baby outgrows the use of a pacifier, so must we outgrow our tendencies of turning to things other than Jesus for comfort. Don't get me wrong, spending time with a friend to shave away some loneliness is not a bad thing. And I think an occasional piece of chocolate to boost your mood is not bad either! BUT, we should not be constantly filling the void with something as temporary as these. We must recognize that there is a void inside of us that is meant for Jesus to fill. Take a look at scripture. He calls us to cast our anxiety on Him, because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7). Also, He calls Himself the bread of life and the light of the world! (John 6&8). Furthermore, He tells us to come to Him and drink. John 4:14 and John 7:37-38 show this. If He really cares that much for us, wants to satisfy our needs, satiate our thirst and brighten our path, why don't we turn to Him right away? Maybe we are scared. Maybe we are lazy! Maybe we are forgetful or unbelieving or doubtful. Whatever the case, we must recognize the truth that He is there for us. He wants to come alongside us and dwell with us and enrich our lives. He is the true satisfaction. He is the always-faithful friend. We must exercise faith that although we cannot see Him, His words are true and He is with us.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Hello from the other side...
Sup! Since it's been a while.... thought I would post an update! After being married for almost three months, I want to share my experience so far! Here goes...
Things that caught me by surprise:
-being tired so often
-always having lots of work to do
-past arguments coming up
-feeling eager to find my "calling"
-not seeing friends as often
With that said, there are plenty of great things that caught me by surprise as well. These are:
-quality time with my love
-cooking more
-having outdoor plants
-personalizing our home
-having a pet hamster
These are just a few things that come to mind.
Marriage brings about a sense of adulthood. One author said it this way: marriage is the first step into adulthood. I couldn't agree more. Even though I am a rookie at marriage compared to many people, I've already learned quite a bit. Priorities change. Perspectives change. YOU change! I believe that marriage can make you a better person, if you let it. As you live life with your spouse, you begin to influence each other -- you become each other's greatest influence. You see the good and the bad, and it's not always pretty! But, that's not always a bad thing. You can start to change. Change the bad things. Become a better person. Mature. And that takes humility.
I've learned that prayer is the best solution to any problem. Sure, things may not change right away. But, coming to God in prayer, with humility, is a good first step into change. It takes faith to please God, and praying is definitely an act of faith. When we eagerly and genuinely seek God, we are being transformed into the people we ought to be. Trusting God is key in all of this... and of course, loving Him as well.
In my marriage, it's important to remember that God is the center of it all. God brought us together, and He has a plan for us! Too often I forget that. When I forget God I become focused on petty things, worry about my future, and ultimately lose trust in God. That's a sin, people! One that must be repented of.
A good marriage takes time. It also takes understanding, grace, responsibility, and of course, Jesus! God has a lot of things to say about marriage. You just need to open up the Bible and read for yourself! Something our pastor told us was "Jesus only." Instead of the usual phrase "Jesus first," he wanted to emphasize the importance of factoring God into EVERYTHING! Rather than segregating our life into different parts (for example: Jesus, spouse, work), we should factor God into every part of our lives. Seek Him in your relationship with your spouse. Seek Him as you are doing your best at your job. Seek Him as you ponder your future and make life-altering decisions. Seek Him.
Perhaps all of this seems jumbled. Maybe that's marriage! No.. that's life! Key thing to take away: humility. You need to be humble when it comes to having a good marriage. You need to be humble when it comes to seeking God. Seeking God in your marriage is the best thing you can do for each other. He is the one who created marriage. It's safe to say He knows how it ought to function.
Marriage, and life, will throw curve balls at you sometimes. You may not always be ready for them. It's important to seek God in everything, to make Him your Rock. He is a firm and steady foundation. He has the answer. Heck, He is the answer! We should not be seeking Him just to get something from Him. We should be seeking Him for that purpose alone -- to seek Him! Relationship. And as a good Father, He will provide you with what you need in due time. He provided me with a good marriage. And I know He will provide me with whatever I need for the next step in this life! Trust.
Things that caught me by surprise:
-being tired so often
-always having lots of work to do
-past arguments coming up
-feeling eager to find my "calling"
-not seeing friends as often
With that said, there are plenty of great things that caught me by surprise as well. These are:
-quality time with my love
-cooking more
-having outdoor plants
-personalizing our home
-having a pet hamster
These are just a few things that come to mind.
Marriage brings about a sense of adulthood. One author said it this way: marriage is the first step into adulthood. I couldn't agree more. Even though I am a rookie at marriage compared to many people, I've already learned quite a bit. Priorities change. Perspectives change. YOU change! I believe that marriage can make you a better person, if you let it. As you live life with your spouse, you begin to influence each other -- you become each other's greatest influence. You see the good and the bad, and it's not always pretty! But, that's not always a bad thing. You can start to change. Change the bad things. Become a better person. Mature. And that takes humility.
I've learned that prayer is the best solution to any problem. Sure, things may not change right away. But, coming to God in prayer, with humility, is a good first step into change. It takes faith to please God, and praying is definitely an act of faith. When we eagerly and genuinely seek God, we are being transformed into the people we ought to be. Trusting God is key in all of this... and of course, loving Him as well.
In my marriage, it's important to remember that God is the center of it all. God brought us together, and He has a plan for us! Too often I forget that. When I forget God I become focused on petty things, worry about my future, and ultimately lose trust in God. That's a sin, people! One that must be repented of.
A good marriage takes time. It also takes understanding, grace, responsibility, and of course, Jesus! God has a lot of things to say about marriage. You just need to open up the Bible and read for yourself! Something our pastor told us was "Jesus only." Instead of the usual phrase "Jesus first," he wanted to emphasize the importance of factoring God into EVERYTHING! Rather than segregating our life into different parts (for example: Jesus, spouse, work), we should factor God into every part of our lives. Seek Him in your relationship with your spouse. Seek Him as you are doing your best at your job. Seek Him as you ponder your future and make life-altering decisions. Seek Him.
Perhaps all of this seems jumbled. Maybe that's marriage! No.. that's life! Key thing to take away: humility. You need to be humble when it comes to having a good marriage. You need to be humble when it comes to seeking God. Seeking God in your marriage is the best thing you can do for each other. He is the one who created marriage. It's safe to say He knows how it ought to function.
Marriage, and life, will throw curve balls at you sometimes. You may not always be ready for them. It's important to seek God in everything, to make Him your Rock. He is a firm and steady foundation. He has the answer. Heck, He is the answer! We should not be seeking Him just to get something from Him. We should be seeking Him for that purpose alone -- to seek Him! Relationship. And as a good Father, He will provide you with what you need in due time. He provided me with a good marriage. And I know He will provide me with whatever I need for the next step in this life! Trust.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Long story short...
I'm married!
New Years always brings about a bit of sentimentality and bittersweetness. Saying "goodbye" to the old and "hello" to the new. To be honest, New Years has always been my least favorite holiday. I've never been ready to say goodbye to Christmas and move on to a whole new year. New goals. New experiences. New people in life.... all things new. A bit scary, right? Or maybe you're the type of person who likes adventure, thrill, the "unexpected"? Great! I'm not, unfortunately... I like cozy, comfort, staying in bed, being cuddled up in a blanket, drinking coffee or hot chocolate. :) Mmmmm. Nothing's wrong with enjoying these blessings. BUT, there comes a point when you need to jump out of bed, get dressed, go out the door, work, meet people! Life starts as soon as you let it. Sometimes you need to get out of your little comfort bubble and take a shot at life.
Reflecting on 2015 (and the few years prior) I think that that is exactly the lesson I have been learning: to let go of fear and trust God. Trusting God entails faith. And faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Even though you don't see or know the future, you can be sure that your Creator is looking out for you. He has your best interest in mind. And He will fulfill His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."
So, what about the future? What about the "known" and the "unknown"? This is where faith comes in. Trust the LORD! Yes, there might be times of sadness and grief. But for the believer, it doesn't end there. God has promised goodness, peace, and life evermore. (Psalm 31:19; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 23:6; Isaiah 26:3-4)
Whatever 2016 brings, lay hold of this... that He is good and that He loves you! When you let go of fear and embrace Him, you can live a thrilling life. When you choose to love and be loved. Love is powerful. Love changes things. And love never fails.
Thankfully, God is love. When we embrace Him, we embrace love. And "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). So, let go of fear and embrace God and the love He has for you!
Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016. :)
New Years always brings about a bit of sentimentality and bittersweetness. Saying "goodbye" to the old and "hello" to the new. To be honest, New Years has always been my least favorite holiday. I've never been ready to say goodbye to Christmas and move on to a whole new year. New goals. New experiences. New people in life.... all things new. A bit scary, right? Or maybe you're the type of person who likes adventure, thrill, the "unexpected"? Great! I'm not, unfortunately... I like cozy, comfort, staying in bed, being cuddled up in a blanket, drinking coffee or hot chocolate. :) Mmmmm. Nothing's wrong with enjoying these blessings. BUT, there comes a point when you need to jump out of bed, get dressed, go out the door, work, meet people! Life starts as soon as you let it. Sometimes you need to get out of your little comfort bubble and take a shot at life.
Reflecting on 2015 (and the few years prior) I think that that is exactly the lesson I have been learning: to let go of fear and trust God. Trusting God entails faith. And faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Even though you don't see or know the future, you can be sure that your Creator is looking out for you. He has your best interest in mind. And He will fulfill His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."
So, what about the future? What about the "known" and the "unknown"? This is where faith comes in. Trust the LORD! Yes, there might be times of sadness and grief. But for the believer, it doesn't end there. God has promised goodness, peace, and life evermore. (Psalm 31:19; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 23:6; Isaiah 26:3-4)
Whatever 2016 brings, lay hold of this... that He is good and that He loves you! When you let go of fear and embrace Him, you can live a thrilling life. When you choose to love and be loved. Love is powerful. Love changes things. And love never fails.
Thankfully, God is love. When we embrace Him, we embrace love. And "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). So, let go of fear and embrace God and the love He has for you!
Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016. :)
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