ten dollars

How much does $10 dollars mean to you?
A few months ago I signed up to receive a glam bag once a month for $10 a month. Glam Bags apparently are all the rage now and there are several options and sites to sign up on. I opted for one that I could cancel anytime. Basically what it is are beauty product samples that are sent in a little makeup bag. It can range from mascara to nail polish. It was really fun to receive it every month and you never knew what you would get, but you got at least 5+ things each time! I recently started cutting back my spending and cancel my subscription.
Then I was checking out a friends facebook page and for their birthday they wanted a $10 donation to an orphanage in Kenya instead of people giving her a gift. There was an option to do it monthly. I have been supporting an orphan in Togo since last year so I didn't select the monthly donation at this time, but it made me stop and think. I was paying $10 a month for several months for this silly little glam bag, which I don't NEED I just WANTED and the products I don't use as much. And here was an orphanage that could make my $10 go alot farther for the furthering of God's Kingdom...ALOT farther than makeup.
I've been reading Managing God's Money by Randy Alcorn. The person marrying us is having Ryan and I read it. I highly recommend it! There is one part that talks about strategic lifestyle and a simple one. IF you are living a strategic lifestyle then what you invest your money in will be used for Kingdom purposes. It is all about perspective...! This website might help you see that. It is quite eye-opening to see where you land on the scale. I'm in the top 11% percent  of the richest people in the world! And even if I only made $1500 I would still be richer than 75% of the world!
After spending almost 2 weeks in Togo I started realizing how much I really have! Right now planning and spending money on a wedding sometimes seems a bit ridiculous to me when I saw how little money there could go so far! I could help a family with a goat and a bible (a goat to help their lifestyle and a bible for their souls) for just $35. If I took all the money from this wedding and put it towards that it would help over 170 families in Togo. I'm not trying to be ridiculous here....I want a nice wedding and it's a once in a lifetime thing...but this has still crossed my mind.
Another part in the book I enjoyed was about what you leave behind, your legacy. Why save up bucket loads of money when I can use it for God's Kingdom now! Some parts in this book are quite radical, but it this part makes sense to me. He also does address the need to enjoy vacations and little comforts for the renewing and refreshing of our mental, physical, and emotional health. So it's not like he is saying to leave everything and "follow" Christ, but there is a part about that I really like to, which I won't go into right now.
"What may strike us as radical, when compared to those around us, even in our Christian culture, seems not to be radical at all when compared to the teaching of the Scripture."

Pour out your heart and cry before Him

My soul, waits silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8

The innermost part of me waits quietly for the Lord, suffering silently. He is my only hope! God only is my stronghold and my foundation. He has ahold of me, I can't be snatched away or moved! God the Sovereign is my fortress and strong tower for me. I hide in Him. I can't be strong alone. Every hope of my being is in Him! Can I trust Him at all times? Yes. I need to cry out to Jesus for saving, He is the only Hope I have! I can't latch onto anything else, because I will be disappointed.

Divine Loveliness

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man! "For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning, in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90

Lost in God: Action Plan

God you have quite a sense of humor...it's funny, I'm sure you laugh at our stupidity and lack of sense. But still love us just the same. I wonder if you throw in those little things that we freak out over, lose sleep over, cry our eyes out over...just for entertainment. Haha...no, just kidding :P It's just a piece of the puzzle you give me and I have to trust You.
Anyways, I have a plan of action to put into practice and live out this summer to start with. I'm kinda borrowing from our church's program "Redeem the Summer" but I've also added a few of my own things...to help me become lost in God...

1. Read the Bible (I plan to study through the book of Mark)
2. Read one good book a month (my church is reading a theology book for June, Biography for July, and Ecclesiology for August...I'll blog about them at the end of the month)
3. Memorize 10 verses (less than one a week! OT: Ex. 33:18-19; Deut. 6:4-7; Ps. 86:11; Isa. 66:2b; Jer. 31:33. NT: Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:6; Phil. 1:27; 1 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 28:18-20).
4. Journal and Discuss my discoveries, questions, and how the Lord convicts, challenges, and encourages me (which I will be using this blog for...the general stuff anyways...and my prayer journal for the deep personal stuff).

So that's what I got so far...and I'm ready to dive in! It's summer! Yay!

Follow Me

And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:19b.

Jesus had just told Peter that his death would glorify God although it would be a terrible death to die...Peter "willingly stretched out his hands to be bound, as Christ's hands were bound, and glorif[ied] God by his devoted love to Jesus, even by death."

Will I follow Jesus no matters where the road ends? Yes.

Let The Waters Rise
There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

Peter

In the conclusion of my study of the book of John this year through B.S.F. (Bible Study Fellowship International) I have found that I have really related to Peter especially regarding the last several chapters. Reflecting on how the last half of this study, it is incredible how I would learn a truth almost every week! There would be something I would be dealing with in my personal and spiritual life and it would be addressed in the reading of the gospel of John. God is so amazing! Right now I think of Peter...and how after he denied Christ and Jesus looked at him in love, he went a wept tears of repentance and healing...I did not realize that after Jesus had risen He appeared privately to Peter to "restore and him and reinstate him in fellowship before appearing to the assembled group." It just really touched my heart to see the Lord's deep concern and love for His heartbroken disciple. Just another realization to me that Christ knows I will mess up, but He still loves me :'-) The final chapter of John finds the disciples fishing and Jesus on the shore. As soon as the disciples recognized who it was, Peter reacted immediately and jumped into the water to swim to His Savior...the time I read this, I got a picture in my head of rushing to be with Jesus...hmmm I can't wait! Finally Jesus ask Peter if he loves Him and to feed His sheep. This scene secures Peter as  leader. Peter humbles himself as tells Jesus that He know his heart....the Lord know my heart...He wants a humble and contrite spirit that trembles at God's Word.

John 17

Jesus' prayer to the Father while He was in the Upper Room. Before his crucifixion. He prayed out loud for the disciples and for future believers, you and me. He prayed for me. I inserted my name into this prayer and reread it, it was so powerful and moves me to tears. Jesus prays for me! Knowing this draws me even more closer to Him. He is my best friend. Read this High Priestly prayer of Jesus using your name, and will no doubt effect you in some way. 

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said:

"Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that _____ may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. I have manifested Your name to _____ who You have given Me out of the world. _____ is Yours, You gave _____ to Me, and _____ has kept Your word. Now _____ has known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to _____ the words which You have given Me; and _____ has received them, and has known surely that I came forth from You; and _____ has believed that You sent Me. I pray for _____. I do not pray for the world but for _____ who You have given Me, for _____ is Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in _____. Now I am no longer in the world, but _____ is in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name _____ who You have given Me, that _____ may be one as We are. While I was with _____ in the world, I kept _____ in Your name. _____ who You gave Me I have kept; and none of _____ is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that _____ may have My joy fulfilled in _____. I have given _____ Your word; and the world has hated _____ because _____ is not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take _____ out of the world, but that You should keep _____ from the evil one. _____ is not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify _____ by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent _____ into the world. And for _____'s sake I sanctify Myself, that _____ also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for _____ alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given _____, that _____ may be one just as We are one: I in _____, and You in Me; that _____ may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved _____ as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that _____ also who You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that _____ may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and _____ has known that You sent Me. And I have declared to _____ Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in _____, and I in _____."

Remaining in Christ

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:7-11

Abiding with Christ we are given the character of Christ. Trust the promise that by abiding we will bear beautiful fruit. The characteristics of remaining and abiding in Christ are obedience, prayer, glorifying God, assurance of God's love and joy.

I'm only going to touch on a few. First off, We LOVE him we have a supernatural desire to OBEY. With JOY! :) Joy in the midst of difficult situations is the mark of a Christian. And true joy is granted be the Holy Spirit. You know, happiness is self-seeking. So Lord, may I be filled with joy in everything!

Finally (this is so good, I love it!) "When we remain in Christ and His words remain in us, we begin to experience His thoughts and words filling even our subconscious thoughts and deepest emotions." WOW!!! This really made me think and reflect. I desire an even deeper and intimate relationship with Jesus! I would rather have HIM fill my subconscious and deepest emotions instead of the passions and lusts of this world which is what's mostly there now because of my sinful nature.
I posted this story on my blog awhile ago, but learning about this brought it to my mind again...here's the link to that past  post on my blog...this is Mabel's Story...http://beauty-quietdignity.blogspot.com/2007/11/thinking-about-my-jesus.html

Be the change you wish to see in the world

I reflect back on the last week and half and how each day I have felt different emotions. A comforting peace and sure of my decision and then the next day my heart physically hurts like it is breaking into a million pieces. I am confident in the choice I have made, but I do need to reassure myself that this is the path God wants me to take.
After breaking it off with Daniel God has been working in my heart and stirring up Africa again…I so long to be there at this moment maybe just to get away from all this hurting, but God has His timing and I fully trust Him to get me there when it’s time. I have been pushing on a few doors though with no avail.

The last year and a half has been quite a journey…it started when I went to South Dakota in September 2008 to take care of grandma and grandpa. I think because it was the first time I was actually away from my parents is why the journey began. Reflecting back on everything brings a rush of so many memories and emotions its hard to grasp them all. The pain and the happiness. I think the biggest thing was how my spiritual journey was effected…

I think the lack of fellowship, my poor choices, and experience while I was away from home impacted me more then I thought. So much in that I came to a state where I couldn’t feel the closeness of my Savior. Sure when I went to a bible study or church and worshiped I would on occasion, but my personal spirituality was severely lacking. I couldn’t pray. I couldn’t read the Bible. I felt stuck, I was stuck. And don’t get me wrong I tried to do these things. What it came down to was a sin in my life I wasn’t viewing with the hated we as believers should have towards sin, that among the other things. When I got home from my second trip to SD this past Christmas, I was back in my beloved church where the Holy Spirit is clearly working, attending BSF where we are studying the book of John, and going back to the college study I’ve been in. Being convicted to confess my sin before the throne of grace and repenting I felt restored, it is still a working progress though.

The thing that really spoke to me were the chapters in the book of John BSF was doing at the time I came back.

From John chapter 9: Many time God gives us suffering in our lives in order to awaken our spirits.

From John chapter 10: Talks about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and how once we are His sheep no one can snatch us from out of His hand. He is holding onto me. I am secure in Him.

So during the time I felt I was so far from Christ…He was still holding onto me, not giving up, just patiently loving His child.

Another verse that keep coming up in my readings and lectures I attend was Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” That is where God started speaking to me…just to be still and once I did He showed be the above truths reassuring me.

He never let’s go! Through the calm and through the storm, HE NEVER LETS GO OF ME!


Now where am I…? God has told me to go to Africa to be a part of getting Reliv over there. I found a ring at the dept store last week. It is a simple silver band with a twist in it and the words engraved on it are “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I wear it now to remind me of this calling and how may not be able to change the world, but I can be that change.

Praying for a family in N.C. I never met or even know, but they are my family in Christ

" . . . is so thankful I serve a Sovereign God who holds life and death in His hands."
That is a really good truth I thought to myself as I was scrolling through my friends status' on facebook. I "LIKE" and clicked. It was cool cause I was recently being reminded in biblestudy of God's Sovereignty.

15 minutes later the same friends changed her status again...

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.'" John 11:25-26 In the eyes of the world Aimee died today...but really she just started to live...all of eternity with the Savior she loved.

Hmm, I wonder who Aimee is. I had a lingering thought in my head if she was my friend's Grandmother or something. Out of curiousity I just searched her friends and the name Aimee Powell came up, but I couldn't see anything on her profile cause I wasn't friends. So I went to Allison Powell's profile and her wall was open. I scrolled down countless post from people who said they were praying for her and her sister and I was like oh my goodness what happened. Then I read Allison's status:

"Our sweet Aimee is finally finding all the rest she needs with her Savior. I feel blessed to have been close by and to hold her hand. Thank you for all your support. I'm being so well taken care of by family and friends. Prayers are still much appreciated as my family flies in and we have a lot to do in the coming days."

Just 10 hours before her status read:

"Allison Powell still somehow knows that God's in control, but we really need a miracle. Pray for my sister. She was in a car wreck and it will take a miracle"

My heart went out to her and her family. Oh my goodness. Then I found the news article and I was crying. Aimee was 25 years old, a fourth grade school teacher. I hurt for her family.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/22302342/detail.html

But then I read the facebook status' again. Aimee was in her Savior's arms! And her family would see her again! I sent Allison a message telling her I was praying. I don't even know her she is just a mutal friend on facebook, but she is a fellow believer and my sister in Christ.

It is still hard to think about though. How fleeting is this life! She was just on her way to work, probably expecting a regular day maybe getting excited that tomorrow would be friday and then the weekend. She was 25. As far as I could tell she wasn't married. But her life here on earth ended, just like that!

But as my friend on facebook said, she just started living the life of eternity on the arms of the Savior she loved.
I went back to my friend's status and clicked "LIKE"

Please pray for the Powell Family, that they may be comforted in their grief and encouraged that Aimee is at rest with the Savior.

Darkness and Light

From Whiter than Snow by: Paul Tripp

He'd lived in the darkness for so long he didn't know that it was dark. Dark was normal and since he'd never experienced light, dark didn't seem dark to him. It wasn't as though he woke up in the morning praying and longing for light. And it wasn't that he had to work to accept the darkness. No, darkness was all he'd ever known. Sure, he fumbled around, bumped into things, and fell down a lot, but none of it bothered him. It was what every day was like for him. He didn't really long to see. He didn't long to see because he didn't know that there was anything worth seeing. He really did think that he saw all there was to see; darkness. He didn't have an accurate sense of size, shape, or color. He had little sense of beauty. He didn't really know what things looked like because the darkness he lived in was so pervasive that the objects around him were but shadows, blobs and blurs.

He had no idea what he looked like because he'd never really seen himself. He thought he knew what he looked like because he'd touched his face and run his hands down his torso, but he'd never seen himself in the light. He was actually quite content in his darkened world and he was quite happy to do what people do when you live in a dark place. He just got up everyday and did what you do when you can't see. Except he didn't know that he couldn't see because he'd never seen because he'd always lived in darkness.

Then it happened one day. He hadn't longed for it. He hadn't asked for it. It just happened. A shaft of light exploded into his world. At first it scared and confused him. He didn't know what it was and his eyes didn't seem able to take it in. All he really knew was that it was different from the darkness he'd always known. It was bright and beautiful and it hurt his eyes, but he couldn't stop looking. He couldn't keep himself from walking toward the light. The closer he got to the light, the more he began to see what was around him. There was a whole world of shapes and colors he'd never seen. But something even more profound began to happen to him. It was shocking, disturbing, and exciting all at once. The closer he got to the light, the more he saw himself! The first thing he realized was that he was naked. For the first time he felt naked. For the first time his nakedness made him uncomfortable. But he not only realized he was naked, he realized he was dirty. And not only was he dirty, he was confronted with the fact that he was lame.

He kept walking toward the light and he felt joy as he did so, but the joy was mixed with grief. As he walked he began to weep. He'd never wept like this before. He wept at the pain he felt over his condition. He'd not known how dirty he was. He'd not known how crippled he was and he felt overwhelmed at what he now knew. He was stunned by the fact that he'd been this way since birth and he'd never known it. He was shocked that he'd never figured out that he moved with a limp. But his shock was quickly mixed with the deepest longing he'd ever felt. It was like he was starved for something he'd never eaten, but now wanted desperately. What he wanted desperately for the first time in his life was to be clean. For the first time in his life he wasn't satisfied being crippled. He longed to be healed. And even though he didn't understand light at all, for the first time in his life he wanted to live in it. And he couldn't imagine ever being content to live in the darkness again.

So he started to run. He ran because he felt drawn - drawn to the light that had so radically altered his world. He wanted to be in the light because somehow he knew that if he could get in the light, he'd be washed and he'd be clean. Somehow he knew that if he could get to the light he would be healed. He knew he couldn't run because he was lame, but he did run. The light was drawing him. The light was giving him strength.He remembers well those darkened days in that darkened place. He remembers it all with a broken and a celebratory heart. And he is very aware that not only has he been cleansed and healed, he's been given the ability to see as well. And he's deeply grateful that he's been clothed with what he couldn't purchase and that deep within him has been placed the desire to be clean.

"Generous in love—God, give grace!
Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.
I know how bad I've been;
my sins are staring me down. "
Psalm 51: 1-3 (The Message)


my own thoughts:
I knew of the Light and thought I was living in it. But in a sense I was in darkness. It was a slow fade...it wasn't like I crumbled in a day. I look back and realize that the one thing I struggled with made me fall, fall down deep. I thought I would never be able to get up again, I was full of shame, guilt, devastation. Falling into the darkness I looked up and could see, finally, exactly what the Light was. Before me was the cross, before me was the Throne of Grace, before me was the Savior I had been taking for granted. Can I now wish I had never fallen? Because if I hadn't I would still be wondering around thinking I am better then most people. But I am not. All of us are lost and in need of a Savior.
The pain of the past hurts at times. I know it shaped me into the person I am to be, but it still hurts...am I to be thankful for it? Should I wish it never happened? But what happened refined me into who I am already called to be.

Bluegrass...

I'm now sitting here listening/watching the bluegrass music show that my grandparents watch every Saturday evening.
Today was a not so good day, I may even go as far to say it was terrible, which is a quite a stretch for me. Nothing went how I planned at all, even my second plan and my third plan. But I totally got a knock in the head from it.

"For I know the plans I have for you..."

To start the day off, I usually drive to Mitchell in the morning for my Reliv training...well it was cancelled, but I was still going to take the day for myself because I usually get my Saturday since I go to the meeting. So I was planning to leave about the same time 8:30am and go to a coffee shop to read my bible, do some journaling, and finish a letter to my sister. Then meet up with one of my friends to discuss some bible question before he went to work. Then I was planning o go lap swimming as usual and maybe go to a movie. Also, my plan was to shop some new shoes. But my plan totally got changed when I went out into the freeing morning to start my car and get it warmed up...it wouldn't start. I called my dad (6:30am his time, oops, sorry dad) and he said to get a heater, but we didn't have one so then to try starter fluid on the carburetor, that didn't work either. My car would turn over, but it just wouldn't start. I waited an hour for it to get warmer outside and tied again with no avail. So, Gma and Gpa said i could take their car, yay! But that plan didn't work either. I couldn't even get out of the driveway because their car it only two-wheel drive and we had like 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground. So I spend half an hour shoveling to drive to get the car back into the garage.

"...plans to prosper you and not to harm you..."

So...next I planned to wait until the afternoon and it would probably start then. I would still at least have an afternoon for a swim and a movie. That dang car still would not started. I was desperate to go. (You may think I am being selfish for wanting to get away. I always look forward to my Saturdays after being on the farm the whole week. People think that its so honorable of me for taking care of my grandparents, but it is hard you guys, in many different ways then one, but that is another post for another time.) Well my car finally started at 3:30pm. yay! But wait, this was not part of my plan...the check engine light wouldn't go off. Dang it! I called my dad and he said to shut off the car right away cuz if something was wrong with the engine it would ruin it. I had had it running for 15 minutes already to get the battery charged up a bit. So I had to wait for it to cool off again before I could check the oil and the radiator, etc. to try to figure out what was wrong, but everything checked out good. My dad said I shouldn't drive it until we make sure what it wrong. We called a mechanic and he said to put it in the garage and let it warm up and the light might go off. So I waited another hour and my final plan was to hope the light would go off and then I would drive to town and go bowling with some friends. It didn't go off.

"...plans to give you hope and a future."

So...here I sit listening/watching this bluegrass show instead of in town having fun with the plan I had. God totally gave me a knock in the head though...while I was struggling, absolutely determined to have my way, some way. And I never got it. Although this was just one day and seems not such a big deal it really taught me a lesson. First of all my plans for the next few months and this summer had been so set to me, but things have been coming up that they might change. So just this one little instance really hit me and I realize that no matter how carefully I plan, it can change and might not be what I want or expect. I guess I always knew this, but it was good to be reminded even thought it was a bit of a struggle. Wow, God, You are forever faithful!

THE 7-UPS

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice
and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as
talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let
us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!
To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!
For something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!
Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

Doo doo doop dee doo

ahh well okay....this week has gone so fast! Once I got back to gma and gpa's things just began falling back into routine. To start off the week Sunday night I saw Tell and he wouldn't even talk to me let alone acknowledge I was even there. It was bothering me about what to do...since I had gotten home over break I was just praying about what God wanted me to do...talk to him again or just leave it alone. That night I was reading Psalm 27...the psalm of my life at this time...and the last verse said WAIT on the Lord. There was my answer right in front of me. I trust that all things work together for good for them that trust Him.
So busy week...it was so great to get back here to gma and gpa's! Seeing them again! But, alas, I began feeling down on Tuesday...but God is soooooooo awesome! He brought me a new friend who truly was a great encouragement to me! I met Nicole through mom and dad who knew her through Reliv...she was actually the one who told me about the biblestudy where I met Tell. Well we finally went out for that coffee we had kept saying we were gonna get. Oh why had we not before I foolishly fell into making the wrong choices!? BUT God's plan is perfect...I know there would be no way I would be as close to Him now if I didn't go through all the pain....I do have times when I began to wish I could of done things differently but right away I try to change that thinking cuz what happened made me who I am today and....it is so great the things i have learned through it all. GOD IS AWESOME!!!!! WOW!!!
So Nicole really helped me. And suggesting ways I can be a light and joy for my gparents. She is a prayer warrior and said I can call her anytime! I love her! She is truly a blessing from God to me!
Reliv has been going great! I am learning alot and am becoming more excited about what i can do with this business! Heard a great story call on Thursday about people my age who have had alot of success and that gave me hope. I am so passionate about being able to help people with their health and even their finances! Reliv has done so much for my family i will never be without it! It took me awhile to see the vision but i am beginning to and can't wait to go to the International conference in Feb. at Fort Worth TEXAS babay!!!! :)
So life is going...as long as I continue to cling to Him that sustains me! WOW WOW WOW!!! GOD IS AMAZING!!! I look forward to what He has planned for me to do for His glory!
Okay I am finally getting tired now! Goodnight! :D :D

lust

these are my notes from Fike Club the other night...and I must add that even though Terry really stressed this on the guys...it was just what I needed to hear also because us girls do struggle too!

Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

• you can't control the chemical reaction, but you can control the outward reaction.
• address the issues of the heart...for where your heart is there your treasure will be also.
• thoughts and feelings make terrible masters...partner with the Holy Spirit and turn your will over to Jesus, not your thoughts and feelings.
• following the Holy Spirit transforms your thoughts and feelings to be of the Holy Spirit, only then I can act upon them.

Romans 7:14-8:1 (this is so good)
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

• the battle between the flesh and spirit cannot be won by our own will-power, but it can be won with the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

• lust of the eyes: seeing things and wanting them more the God...ETC.
• lust of the flesh: comforts, sexual, relationships, ETC.
• boastful pride of life: stuff, achievements, position, ETC.

James 1:12-17
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

• the initial action of lust is not sin...moving from current reality to fantasy...that is when you sin.
• fantasy then could become reality...then one prefers fantasy from reality.

Galations 5:16-25
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
My own prayer...
Father, I confess my sins to You and plead forgiveness! Holy Spirit please take my thoughts and feelings, may I go with your leading. Take my heart sweet Jesus, I give it to You! Be my strength in my temptations...fill my head with thoughts of You...fill my heart with feelings for You! i love you my great God.

Grace

definition:

1. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
2. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:11

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

I Corinthians 10:15

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

2 John 1:3

(Thanks Ivory!)

This is just something I've been thinking about lately...

I read in God's Word the other day..."do not fret of worry," "wait on the Lord." It's so easy, yet so hard to fully trust in God with every detail of my life. Yet I encounter little compared to the persecution of people in other countries. Will I still trust God if I am persecuted because of Him? Now, I say I probably will, but how will I know until it happens? I want and desire to love God strongly, always and forever. Will I still trust Him even when I don't feel like He is near me? These aren't doubts...I'm more like questioning how strong my faith, my trust, and my love is for God. I don't want to be someone who loves God when it's easy then turn my back on Him when it gets hard! Or even the opposite of that...a fair-weathered friend...knowing God is there, but not turning to Him until it gets hard in my life for His comfort and peace.

In the morning early I will seek You

In my personal quiet times with God I have been learning to desire time with my heavenly Father first thing in the morning. How different my day is when I spend the morning with my Creator. This is what I would like to share...

Psalm 5:3
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

Every morning prepare a sacrifice of praise and prayer. Watch for the Lord to reveal Himself during the day. Look up to Him with your prayers.

Psalm63:1
O God, You are my God; early I will seek You; my soul thirsts for You...

My God- an intimate personal relationship. My God- an abiding treasure when all else is gone. My God- A sufficient resource in every crisis. Seek the Lord early - early in life and early in the day. My soul thirsts for God, I long for fellowship with Him.

Spending time with God is so much more fulfilling then an extra half-an-hour more of sleep!