Have you ever gone through a hard or tragic time and wonder to yourself "How can God love me? A loving God wouldn't put me through this!" Well I can say I have and it's not a pretty road to go down.
Think for a second. Do you really know what true love is? Do you know the power of true love?
Song of Songs 8:6-7
Place me like a seal over your heart, or like a seal over your arm. For love is as strong as death, and it's jealousy is as enduring as the grave. love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with everything he owned, his offer would be utterly dispised."
Love must be accepted as a gift from God. It is free, priceless, and not even the richest man can buy it. You must take your love and let it reflect as a perfect love that comes from God himself.
1 Corinthians 13:13
There are three things that will endure-- faith, hope, and love-- and the greatest of these is love.
And if you are ready here is the GREATEST love of all!!!!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Love is very powerful and the greatest love is what Jesus showed us by dying on that cross in our place. God loves us so much, for that is why he created this world in which we live.
Job 1:8-12
Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth-- a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil." Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" "All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.
Job 1:20-22
Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground before God. He said "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be stripped of everything when I die. The LORD gave me everything I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!" In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
God loves us so much. When something happens to you, rather it be tragic or not, don't be quick to blame God. For Job's story proves that God doesn't do anything to us, the devil does! God just simply lets stuff happen to see who you will turn to! Do what Job did, Praise God our LORD in even the most terrible times! God gave us emotions for a reason. Admit your emotions, tell others how you feel, and grieve. That is what God wants us to do. Don't ever take for granted the wonderful gifts' God gave us. Love and be kind.
When you go through a hard time who will you turn to?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
God gives a great feeling!
So, my Easter was amazing! I celebrated with my family of coarse but I also celebrated with God. I swear just when I think I know him BOOM he does something even more amazing. My pastor yesterday said "The Holy Spirit lives in all of us, he lives in you." This makes me so happy to think about. I mean, Jesus' Holy Spirit lives in me? Wow! Now I know I'm never gonna be alone. How comforting does that sound? He is what I think about when I wake up, when I'm driving, when I'm going to sleep, when I'm cooking, really anything I do I think about Jesus and what he did for me. The more I talk about this the more I want to yell WOOHOO!
Since I have gotten closer in my walk with God I love who I am. I put all my fears, worries, frustrations, and anger into prayer. I rely on him for everything I do. It's the greatest thing ever. I pray for you all to feel this way it truly is amazing. A verse spoke out to me yesterday and I would like to share it with you. It is my verse of the day.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Jesus truly is the way. He even said it himself. You know I do have my hard moments sometimes but when I start feeling down or frustrated I pray. If someone makes you so mad, do not be mad at the person be mad at the sin, the evil! That is the devil trying to get you. Don't let him get you! Stand your ground and tell him you belong to God.
You know the bible says you cannot go to heaven simply by doing good deeds. You have to live by God's word and live for him. Ask God to come and let the holy spirit live in you. Save your spot in heaven and rest assured you will spend eternity with God.
Since I have gotten closer in my walk with God I love who I am. I put all my fears, worries, frustrations, and anger into prayer. I rely on him for everything I do. It's the greatest thing ever. I pray for you all to feel this way it truly is amazing. A verse spoke out to me yesterday and I would like to share it with you. It is my verse of the day.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Jesus truly is the way. He even said it himself. You know I do have my hard moments sometimes but when I start feeling down or frustrated I pray. If someone makes you so mad, do not be mad at the person be mad at the sin, the evil! That is the devil trying to get you. Don't let him get you! Stand your ground and tell him you belong to God.
You know the bible says you cannot go to heaven simply by doing good deeds. You have to live by God's word and live for him. Ask God to come and let the holy spirit live in you. Save your spot in heaven and rest assured you will spend eternity with God.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Verse of the day
Matthew 22:29-40
Jesus replied, "Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God. For when the dead rise, they won't be married. They will be like the angels in heaven. But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead-- haven't you ever read about this in the scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said,* 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' * So he is the God of the living, not the dead." When the crowds heard him, they were impressed with his teaching. But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they thought up a fresh question of their own to ask him. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'* This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'* All the other commandments and the demands of the prophets are based on the two commandments."
Jesus replied, "Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God. For when the dead rise, they won't be married. They will be like the angels in heaven. But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead-- haven't you ever read about this in the scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said,* 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' * So he is the God of the living, not the dead." When the crowds heard him, they were impressed with his teaching. But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they thought up a fresh question of their own to ask him. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'* This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'* All the other commandments and the demands of the prophets are based on the two commandments."
Voice of Truth
Here is the lyrics to a song I've grown to love. The message is great. :) Hope you enjoy.
Casting Crowns - Voice Of Truth
From the album Casting Crowns
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
'You'll never win!'
Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, 'Do not be afraid!'
The voice of truth says, 'This is for My glory'
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy you'll never win!'
'You'll never win!'
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Casting Crowns - Voice Of Truth
From the album Casting Crowns
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
'You'll never win!'
Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, 'Do not be afraid!'
The voice of truth says, 'This is for My glory'
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy you'll never win!'
'You'll never win!'
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friendship
Lately I've been having friendship on my mind. I have become so close to God and I notice some differences between my friends and I. When I'm talking about this awesome bible verse I just found they are talking about their latest relationship they are in or a party they went to. I find it somewhat of a struggle for me. I mean just because I have a close walk with God (that I work on everyday) does that mean I can't be close with my friends that I have now? Many questions have been racing through my mind so I did some research in my bible to help me answer some of those lingering questions.
Proverbs 13: 20
Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks
with fools will suffer harm.
This verse tells us, if you have a question or are going through a hard time and you go to your friends then you will most likely get the wrong advise. Your friends ofter agree with you and think a lot like you. You will only get an answer you have most likely already heard before. So instead of asking your friends ask an older wiser person who follows Christ and have been through enough to know. Then you will most likely get the answer you need to hear! Rather you want to or not. Remember, as always pray pray pray!
Matthew 5:23,24
"So if you are standing before the altar in the temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."
This verse tells us, how can you love God if you hate others? Love one another, even those who hate you! Be kind and apologize for things you done wrong or even stuff you are not at fault for. Mend those broken relationships.
Proverbs 18:24
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend
sticks closer than a brother
This basically says it is better for you to be a true friend then have many acquaintances. If you keep asking God for a true friend, maybe instead of asking God for one, you should try being a true friend yourself. Be there, care for them, and offer help when needed!
Romans 12:19-21
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance;
I will repay those who deserve it,:
Says the Lord
Instead, do what the scriptures say:
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them
something to drink, and they will be
ashamed of what they have done to you."
Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
This says befriend your enemies, the ones who have hurt you. Feed them when they are hungry, give them something to drink when they are thirsty. For by doing this they will feel bad for what they have done. Don't give them what they deserve or fight evil with evil. For you will only hurt yourself as much as you hurt them. Instead give them kindness, even if they don't say they are sorry at least you will have a great feeling about yourself for forgiving them.
Find a friend in God. Build a special relationship with him. There is only one YOU in this world. God created you for a reason and for you to fill a purpose in this world. Find that purpose. Pray to God to help you find that purpose. Tell God everything. He cares about you for he did create you! No one loves you as much as he does.
Proverbs 13: 20
Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks
with fools will suffer harm.
This verse tells us, if you have a question or are going through a hard time and you go to your friends then you will most likely get the wrong advise. Your friends ofter agree with you and think a lot like you. You will only get an answer you have most likely already heard before. So instead of asking your friends ask an older wiser person who follows Christ and have been through enough to know. Then you will most likely get the answer you need to hear! Rather you want to or not. Remember, as always pray pray pray!
Matthew 5:23,24
"So if you are standing before the altar in the temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."
This verse tells us, how can you love God if you hate others? Love one another, even those who hate you! Be kind and apologize for things you done wrong or even stuff you are not at fault for. Mend those broken relationships.
Proverbs 18:24
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend
sticks closer than a brother
This basically says it is better for you to be a true friend then have many acquaintances. If you keep asking God for a true friend, maybe instead of asking God for one, you should try being a true friend yourself. Be there, care for them, and offer help when needed!
Romans 12:19-21
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,
"I will take vengeance;
I will repay those who deserve it,:
Says the Lord
Instead, do what the scriptures say:
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them
something to drink, and they will be
ashamed of what they have done to you."
Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
This says befriend your enemies, the ones who have hurt you. Feed them when they are hungry, give them something to drink when they are thirsty. For by doing this they will feel bad for what they have done. Don't give them what they deserve or fight evil with evil. For you will only hurt yourself as much as you hurt them. Instead give them kindness, even if they don't say they are sorry at least you will have a great feeling about yourself for forgiving them.
Find a friend in God. Build a special relationship with him. There is only one YOU in this world. God created you for a reason and for you to fill a purpose in this world. Find that purpose. Pray to God to help you find that purpose. Tell God everything. He cares about you for he did create you! No one loves you as much as he does.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sin
Romans 6:12-14
Do not let sin control the way you live*, do not give in to it's lustful desires: or do not let sin reign in your body, which is subject to death. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourself completely to God since you have been given a new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your masters, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace.
Jesus died for us sinners knowing the pain he would endure. That is a lot to take in. He died so we can be forgiven and so we could repent. But one of the best things he gave us was freedom to think. With freedom to think, we can change the way we think about a certain situation. We can make our minds chose to not think about sinning! We can renew our mind with the word of God. And there is a difference between studying the word of God and just reading the word of God. You must study it and live it! Rather it be stealing a candy bar or murdering someone, sin is all the same in God's eyes! The bible talks about sinners who chose not to turn to God almighty will be thrown in the lake of fire! That is eternal separation from God. Sounds pretty scary to me! The devil tries to steel our ability to concentrate. Don't let his deceiving ways tempt you no matter how good it sounds or looks. The devil is nothing but trouble. Seek the word of God, over come your fears, and with the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can conquer anything as long as we put our faith in God! So remember, rather you become a slave to sin and turn your back on God or praise and worship Him it's up to you. Just know that every decision has a consequence. So what are you going to do?
Do not let sin control the way you live*, do not give in to it's lustful desires: or do not let sin reign in your body, which is subject to death. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourself completely to God since you have been given a new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your masters, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace.
Jesus died for us sinners knowing the pain he would endure. That is a lot to take in. He died so we can be forgiven and so we could repent. But one of the best things he gave us was freedom to think. With freedom to think, we can change the way we think about a certain situation. We can make our minds chose to not think about sinning! We can renew our mind with the word of God. And there is a difference between studying the word of God and just reading the word of God. You must study it and live it! Rather it be stealing a candy bar or murdering someone, sin is all the same in God's eyes! The bible talks about sinners who chose not to turn to God almighty will be thrown in the lake of fire! That is eternal separation from God. Sounds pretty scary to me! The devil tries to steel our ability to concentrate. Don't let his deceiving ways tempt you no matter how good it sounds or looks. The devil is nothing but trouble. Seek the word of God, over come your fears, and with the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can conquer anything as long as we put our faith in God! So remember, rather you become a slave to sin and turn your back on God or praise and worship Him it's up to you. Just know that every decision has a consequence. So what are you going to do?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Strength in stress...
We all have our times where we are so stressed out and just don't know what to do anymore. I know I have those days! Well, the other night I was super stressed out and fumbling though my Bible trying to find some kind of answer. I found this:
Psalms 62:3-7
So many enemies against one man-- all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken- down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They are friendly to my face, but they curse me in their hearts. I wait quietly before God, for my hopes are in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
It was then clear to me at that point. God was telling me "Hey, your stressed out because your not trusting in me. You haven't put all your faith and trust in me." It's true. We often go through a stressful time and think to ourselves "I know God is supposed to help me with my situation but when? I can't handle this anymore" and we often do our own thing wich is not so much God's way sometimes! We have to remember that God's minuet could be our year! He cares so much about us. He gave his only son to die for us so WE can be forgiven! I mean would YOU give your child up and let them die for the whole world? NO you wouldn't. So think twice when your stessed. Stay positive and pray pray pray. Put all your hopes in God as David did in his time of stress. Trust in God and he will never let you down. He might not do things the way you thought, sometimes it's even better!
Psalms 62:3-7
So many enemies against one man-- all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken- down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They are friendly to my face, but they curse me in their hearts. I wait quietly before God, for my hopes are in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
It was then clear to me at that point. God was telling me "Hey, your stressed out because your not trusting in me. You haven't put all your faith and trust in me." It's true. We often go through a stressful time and think to ourselves "I know God is supposed to help me with my situation but when? I can't handle this anymore" and we often do our own thing wich is not so much God's way sometimes! We have to remember that God's minuet could be our year! He cares so much about us. He gave his only son to die for us so WE can be forgiven! I mean would YOU give your child up and let them die for the whole world? NO you wouldn't. So think twice when your stessed. Stay positive and pray pray pray. Put all your hopes in God as David did in his time of stress. Trust in God and he will never let you down. He might not do things the way you thought, sometimes it's even better!
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