Eyes Fixed on Christ — August 22, 2013

Yesterday my faith was tested. For a moment I questioned God’s greatness, sovereignty and power. How’d it feel? Horrible. But here’s what I learned:

I pictured myself as Peter walking on water with Christ. As long as I keep my eyes on Jesus, I do not sink. I do not see my troubles as burdens, but as blessings. I do not see my trials as punishments, but as sanctifications. I do not see my sufferings as setbacks, but as character builders. I do not feel the weight of this world on my shoulders, but instead, I have HOPE. (Galatians 5:1-6)

In that moment God showed me, apart from Him - I am broken and desperate - literally DROWNING in the problems of this world. But with eyes fixed on Christ alone, I am sustained, alive and free – not sinking, but walking on water with my Savior who’s in and all around me.

I believe God allows our faith to be tested to remind us of these things. I encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Christ today and everyday! (Psalm 119:15) He’s our HOPE!

Matthew 14:28 -31

And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O, you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Wait — August 18, 2013

In our lives we’re always waiting on something. Whether it’s graduating from high school or college, getting a job, getting married, having children, retiring, waiting to be healed from a sickness, or even waiting to die. 

I find myself thinking about the future a lot. A friend of mine recently shared this with me: 
God doesn’t reveal how our entire lives will play out, instead, He only shows us our next step. It’s not guaranteed we’ll be alive a minute from now--much less 10 years from now. Sometimes God even shows us the end result and then we wonder, “How in the world am I ever going to get there.” Wait—He’ll show us.

Jesus’ whole life, He knew He would be killed for the world’s sins. He knew what the end result would be, but what did the steps in between look like? What did Jesus do? He trusted His Father in Heaven to guide Him every step of the way — just like we are called to do.

God’s timing is perfect. What does your next step look like? For me, it’s graduating from college – after that, I have no clue. How exciting?! So while I’m waiting, I have to trust in the Lord to guide my every step -- my every day. Let God lead you -- it makes life so much more enjoyable!

Psalm 25: 4-5
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I WAIT all the day long.

Psalm 25: 8-9
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.

Saved by Faith — August 11, 2013

So many people think they have to follow all these rules and regulations to be a Christian. I thought this for 21 years. But the more I read the Word, the more I learn this is not the case at all. The day God put The Holy Spirit in me, I had no other option but to follow Him. Rules and regulations became obsolete. All my heart desired was to please my creator in heaven and follow in the footsteps of my Savior, Jesus Christ! Of course, we naturally sin, but that's the beauty of the cross.
We are taught we must work hard to be a Christian, and I find this to be true in some ways, but it's not the WORK that makes us a Christian, it's our hearts. So ask God to come into your heart, wait patiently in prayer, and see the WORK only HE can do in you. Have a beautiful Sunday!!!!

Ezekiel 36:25-28
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

What Season Are You In? Why? — August 8th, 2013

Today at work, the janitor and I had a conversation about how in today's society we are always on the go -- never stopping to ask God, "What season am I in right now? Why do you have me here? How do you want to use me? How can I better serve you and your people?"

We all go through ups and downs, and God grows us through each one. But when we stay busy in the same old routine, we miss out on what He's is trying to teach us! We miss the plans God has for us. We miss out on touching people's lives. We miss out on LIFE!

So instead of rushing through the day, we need to slow down and ask God why He has us in this season of life. It's for a reason -- we just need to STOP and ask God to reveal it to us.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose;a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Find Your Identity in Christ — August 5th, 2013

As I look around I realize everyone finds their identity in something. Either in their job, school, hobby, sport, the way the dress or look, or how much money they have. But I know the only way to have complete satisfaction in myself is not to place my identity in any perishable thing in this world but finding my identity in Christ -- because THAT is the only thing that will last forever. Finding your identity in anything else will fade away, but a life lived for Christ will NEVER, fade away. ‪#‎eternallife‬

1 Peter 1:24-25
for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?