Where is God in this world? We look around every day, and see more terrible things happening each and every day. Christians are being persecuted for their faith, innocent people are being sexually assaulted, people are dying because of terrorist attacks, people are getting sick and dying because of incurable diseases, people are living in fear because they do not know how long they have to live. They are in the midst of a war zone, and are unsure of what will happen to them. People lack food and clean water. Some people have not even heard about the one called "Jesus" who is our light and Salvation and who gave His life to forgive us of our sins. Some say that the world has gone crazy. Some say we are in the end times. Some believe that this is just the way the world works. But is it how God intends us to all live?
God calls us as Christians to something higher than this world has to offer. The world offers us this; fame, power, love, acceptance, and everything you could ever imagine. Funny thing about the world is that it does not tell you the cost of what you are getting. The world lies to you. They say you will be accepted, but only after you change all of these things. For any young girl reading this, you know what I mean. Just look at Seventeen magazine. They teach you to be skinny, wear certain clothes, do your hair a certain way, do your makeup like this, then you will be pretty and accepted by that boy you like, and even those popular girls. Young guys are told to hit the gym, lift weights, be strong and don't show emotion. They are taught to flirt with girls and treat them like their own personal trophy. They are told so many lies about themselves, taught that they need to be athletic, popular, involved in the party scene, and so on. All of these things are lies that are fed to us.
The cost for believing these lies? You lose yourself. You no longer see who you truly are and what you were made to do. You push aside your passions for something cheaper. You long for acceptance, fame, power, and love, so you do what the world tells you to do, believing you will get all of these things out of it. And so you do all these things the world encourages, only to find yourself empty, and lacking purpose.
How does this relate to my first paragraph? I mean, I went from talking about the madness this world is, to ranting about how the world tries to influence and change us. "Is there any correlation," you may ask. So glad you did.
At least part of the reason that the world is in the state is in today is because of how we have given in to the world and believed the lies it tells us. Christians have even fallen into this trap and have just gone along with what the world is saying, sometimes disagreeing, but not having enough nerve to stand up and try to stop it.
How can we make a difference? Well, we can stand up for our beliefs for one. We can learn to see ourselves in light of who we really are, and who God says we are, and be satisfied with ourselves. We can develop our relationship(s) with God and with others. We can volunteer and give back to others.
We can't change the world. But we can make an impact for the good, just by caring and loving others.
As Dr. Seuss said in "The Lorax"... "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not."
What can you do to make your world a better place? What can you do to make your life a wonderful and meaningful life?
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Friday, February 10, 2017
Love, Peace, and Joy
Love. Peace. Joy. These are things we all want in our lives. But do we really know what they are?
Love. We think of love in the terms of romantic love, love between friends, or even love for our pets. Are these all the same levels? How come we say, "I love God," then say "I love pizza," like they mean the same thing?
My question for you is, is the love that you feel toward God the same way you feel about pizza, or any other food you eat? Is it the same as you feel toward your spouse, your family, friends? Or is there a difference in the love you feel toward God?
There should be. We should have a love for God that surpasses every other type of love we feel. We should have a love and respect for God that surpasses every other type of love we feel.
Am I perfect at this? Do I feel the right type of love for God? No, I am not even close. But it is something that I am willing to work on, and thought may encourage you too.
Now, peace. Peace is something that is harder to feel. We all live crazy lives, and we go all the time, between this thing and that. We are always working. But do you feel peace in all of that?
Believe it or not, you can! God can give you a peace that can surpass all of your understanding. You can have the busiest day, and you can still feel peaceful in all of that.
Peace is not necessarily your surroundings, but how you feel inside.
I have had a peace that I could not understand before. God will, if you ask Him, help you to feel peace inside. It may not always come quickly... there may be a process... just trust Him, and trust the process.
Joy. Oh, joy! You see, joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is based on your circumstances, feelings, and your thoughts. Joy does not depend on what is happening around you or how you are feeling. Joy overflows out of you, even in the worst of circumstances. Joy gives you the strength to find the best even in the worst of things.
Trust me, I am still looking for joy. Joy is not a feeling, it is more like a mindset. You have to decide, every day, that you are going to be joyful in everything. You have to pray for that too. God will help you find joy, just like He will help you find peace and love.
You ready to find it?
Get praying, get into His Word*, and start passionately seeking.
God won't let you down.
*If you do not own a Bible, biblegateway.com is a great resource to read from, and, it is free.
Love. We think of love in the terms of romantic love, love between friends, or even love for our pets. Are these all the same levels? How come we say, "I love God," then say "I love pizza," like they mean the same thing?
My question for you is, is the love that you feel toward God the same way you feel about pizza, or any other food you eat? Is it the same as you feel toward your spouse, your family, friends? Or is there a difference in the love you feel toward God?
There should be. We should have a love for God that surpasses every other type of love we feel. We should have a love and respect for God that surpasses every other type of love we feel.
Am I perfect at this? Do I feel the right type of love for God? No, I am not even close. But it is something that I am willing to work on, and thought may encourage you too.
Now, peace. Peace is something that is harder to feel. We all live crazy lives, and we go all the time, between this thing and that. We are always working. But do you feel peace in all of that?
Believe it or not, you can! God can give you a peace that can surpass all of your understanding. You can have the busiest day, and you can still feel peaceful in all of that.
Peace is not necessarily your surroundings, but how you feel inside.
I have had a peace that I could not understand before. God will, if you ask Him, help you to feel peace inside. It may not always come quickly... there may be a process... just trust Him, and trust the process.
Joy. Oh, joy! You see, joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness is based on your circumstances, feelings, and your thoughts. Joy does not depend on what is happening around you or how you are feeling. Joy overflows out of you, even in the worst of circumstances. Joy gives you the strength to find the best even in the worst of things.
Trust me, I am still looking for joy. Joy is not a feeling, it is more like a mindset. You have to decide, every day, that you are going to be joyful in everything. You have to pray for that too. God will help you find joy, just like He will help you find peace and love.
You ready to find it?
Get praying, get into His Word*, and start passionately seeking.
God won't let you down.
*If you do not own a Bible, biblegateway.com is a great resource to read from, and, it is free.
Friday, January 20, 2017
Faith During the Hard Times
Job was a man who had it all. He was the richest man in the land where he live, as Job 1:3 tells us. He was a man who feared God, and verse one of chapter one tells us that he was a "man of complete integrity," (NLT). As we read Job 1:1-5, we see that Job has everything going for him, in all he does.
Moving into verse 6, we switch gears, and are given insight into what is going on in heaven at this time. From verses 6-12, we read about Satan approaching God, and God telling Satan about Job, and how dedicated of a servant Job was to His Lord God. Satan stood up against the Lord, telling Him that Job just followed Him so faithfully because God protected him, and allowed Job to prosper in all he did. Satan reasoned with God, telling Him that Job only followed Him because God protected and provided so well for him. "Take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" (Job 1:11, NLT). The Lord told Satan to do what he would, but not to harm Job physically.
The story continues, telling about how Job lost everything he had, all in the same day; first his animals and farmhands, sheep and shepherds, camels and servants, and even all his sons and daughters.
Job was distraught. The Bible tells us he stood up and tore his robes because of his overwhelming grief (1:20). However, even though he had lost everything, he did not curse God, but praised Him! (1:21). He never blamed God for anything, but praised God through everything He went through.
How quick are we to blame God when things do not go our way? I know I am quick to become angry with God when I do not get my own way. But, is that the way we are supposed to be? I don't think so. Is this difficult, praising God through trials? Definitely!
I attended a church service over the weekend, and the pastor was preaching on the people of Zion, and their wondering about where God was in the midst of their trials. He said something that stuck with me, and it will be something that I will often think about; "Despite what we may think or feel, God is with His people," (Benjamin Pass).
Job knew that God was with him in the midst of his trials, and tribulations. Can we trust God will do the same for us?
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Suggested reading: Psalm 23).
Moving into verse 6, we switch gears, and are given insight into what is going on in heaven at this time. From verses 6-12, we read about Satan approaching God, and God telling Satan about Job, and how dedicated of a servant Job was to His Lord God. Satan stood up against the Lord, telling Him that Job just followed Him so faithfully because God protected him, and allowed Job to prosper in all he did. Satan reasoned with God, telling Him that Job only followed Him because God protected and provided so well for him. "Take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" (Job 1:11, NLT). The Lord told Satan to do what he would, but not to harm Job physically.
The story continues, telling about how Job lost everything he had, all in the same day; first his animals and farmhands, sheep and shepherds, camels and servants, and even all his sons and daughters.
Job was distraught. The Bible tells us he stood up and tore his robes because of his overwhelming grief (1:20). However, even though he had lost everything, he did not curse God, but praised Him! (1:21). He never blamed God for anything, but praised God through everything He went through.
How quick are we to blame God when things do not go our way? I know I am quick to become angry with God when I do not get my own way. But, is that the way we are supposed to be? I don't think so. Is this difficult, praising God through trials? Definitely!
I attended a church service over the weekend, and the pastor was preaching on the people of Zion, and their wondering about where God was in the midst of their trials. He said something that stuck with me, and it will be something that I will often think about; "Despite what we may think or feel, God is with His people," (Benjamin Pass).
Job knew that God was with him in the midst of his trials, and tribulations. Can we trust God will do the same for us?
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Suggested reading: Psalm 23).
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Trusting God
I'll be very honest. Trusting God is not easy. I have a very difficult time with this. It is hard to trust God with everything; finances, relationships, education; it's hard. But you know what is harder? It is harder to try to figure things out by yourself. Let me explain a bit.
I have tried so many times to try to figure things out on my own. I have done things that I regret because I was doing what I thought was right, or what I was feeling like I wanted to do. However... each time I have found out that my plan... well, it sucks. Every time, I let myself down, and I always let the people around me down too. And I'll be honest... I don't like doing that.
I'm in the process of learning to lay things down and let them go, giving them to God. Cause honestly, God knows all of it, and He knows everything that is going to happen. And I believe that God has the best plan for my life. I also think He has the best plan for your life.
The best thing that one can do to learn how to let go and trust God is to grow closer to Him. In every relationship, as you get closer to someone, you trust them more. If we grow closer to God, we will learn to trust Him more, and then we will be able to let things go. And how do we get closer to God? Well, how do you get closer to anyone? You spend time with them. You talk with them. This is what you need to do with God. You need to take time to spend with Him, praying and listening for Him to answer. You need to read His Word, and reflect on it. Just like when you think about what your friends say, think about what God says.
I'm not saying that this is going to change things completely. This is a process, and it is going to take time. The best relationships are formed over time. Your relationship with God will form. It takes time and work, just like any other relationship, but it will be worth it.
You can and will learn to trust if you want to. So, what do you want to do?
I have tried so many times to try to figure things out on my own. I have done things that I regret because I was doing what I thought was right, or what I was feeling like I wanted to do. However... each time I have found out that my plan... well, it sucks. Every time, I let myself down, and I always let the people around me down too. And I'll be honest... I don't like doing that.
I'm in the process of learning to lay things down and let them go, giving them to God. Cause honestly, God knows all of it, and He knows everything that is going to happen. And I believe that God has the best plan for my life. I also think He has the best plan for your life.
The best thing that one can do to learn how to let go and trust God is to grow closer to Him. In every relationship, as you get closer to someone, you trust them more. If we grow closer to God, we will learn to trust Him more, and then we will be able to let things go. And how do we get closer to God? Well, how do you get closer to anyone? You spend time with them. You talk with them. This is what you need to do with God. You need to take time to spend with Him, praying and listening for Him to answer. You need to read His Word, and reflect on it. Just like when you think about what your friends say, think about what God says.
I'm not saying that this is going to change things completely. This is a process, and it is going to take time. The best relationships are formed over time. Your relationship with God will form. It takes time and work, just like any other relationship, but it will be worth it.
You can and will learn to trust if you want to. So, what do you want to do?
Monday, October 17, 2016
God is with You
In Exodus 33:12-23, Moses talks with God, saying that God has been telling them to go to the Promised Land. (Side note for those who do not know; God had told Moses to lead His people, the Israelites, out of Egypt, into a land God would show them; the Promised Land as it is referred to). Moses complained that God had not told him who would go with him. Moses wanted to have a plan, and know where God was leading them. It is much like each of us. "God, what are you doing?" we ask. "Where are you leading me?"
We seek an answer when really, what God wants is for us to really do is trust Him and follow Him faithfully. He tells Moses in verse fourteen, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you." (NLT) God called Moses by name, because He knows Him by name, (see verse 17). God says He will be with Moses. God will be with each of us too. If God has called you to something, He will not leave you alone, but walk with you and guide you through all of it. That doesn't mean it won't be scary... it probably will be... but you can know that the King of the World is on your side.
We seek an answer when really, what God wants is for us to really do is trust Him and follow Him faithfully. He tells Moses in verse fourteen, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you." (NLT) God called Moses by name, because He knows Him by name, (see verse 17). God says He will be with Moses. God will be with each of us too. If God has called you to something, He will not leave you alone, but walk with you and guide you through all of it. That doesn't mean it won't be scary... it probably will be... but you can know that the King of the World is on your side.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
For I Know the Plans...
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11 {NLT}
God always has a plan for us. He has a plan for each and every person on this planet. This, quite obviously, includes you. So why are you fighting His plan?
Hahahaha now, listen, I'm no one to talk. I've been fighting God's plan for a while now. I know why you are fighting it. Probably the same reasons I am. Fear. Uncertainty. Hurt. Wanting control... trust me, I get it.
You know what I've learned though? My plans SUCK. I try to do things on my own, and if I had a mess before... well it is way worse now. I'm learning how much I need to trust God. And gosh darn it, it is hard. Some days it seems near impossible. But He is there with you all the time. You don't have to carry everything on your own. Don't carry disappointments, regret, shame, hurt, or anything else. Let it go. Let God come in and replace that in your life.
"For I know the plans I have for you..."
Sometimes it seems like God is leading us around and around in circles, with no direction or guidance. But He's always there. Even if we don't like where we are right now... God will lead us to something better. He has good plans for us!
So it's up to you. Will you trust Him and let Him lead you into His perfect plan for you, or will you continue to resist? Remember, this is a process. Don't expect perfection right away. You will probably steal driver's seat again once or twice or twenty times. But the process means that you'll always give it back to the professional... in this case, God. So, back to the question... Will you trust Him and let Him lead you into His perfect plan for you, or will you continue to resist?
"For I know the plans I have for you..."
God always has a plan for us. He has a plan for each and every person on this planet. This, quite obviously, includes you. So why are you fighting His plan?
Hahahaha now, listen, I'm no one to talk. I've been fighting God's plan for a while now. I know why you are fighting it. Probably the same reasons I am. Fear. Uncertainty. Hurt. Wanting control... trust me, I get it.
You know what I've learned though? My plans SUCK. I try to do things on my own, and if I had a mess before... well it is way worse now. I'm learning how much I need to trust God. And gosh darn it, it is hard. Some days it seems near impossible. But He is there with you all the time. You don't have to carry everything on your own. Don't carry disappointments, regret, shame, hurt, or anything else. Let it go. Let God come in and replace that in your life.
"For I know the plans I have for you..."
Sometimes it seems like God is leading us around and around in circles, with no direction or guidance. But He's always there. Even if we don't like where we are right now... God will lead us to something better. He has good plans for us!
So it's up to you. Will you trust Him and let Him lead you into His perfect plan for you, or will you continue to resist? Remember, this is a process. Don't expect perfection right away. You will probably steal driver's seat again once or twice or twenty times. But the process means that you'll always give it back to the professional... in this case, God. So, back to the question... Will you trust Him and let Him lead you into His perfect plan for you, or will you continue to resist?
"For I know the plans I have for you..."
Sunday, May 29, 2016
It's the Simple Things
You know, I have learned a lot in the past little bit. And God has been teaching me a lot of things, sometimes in the most unexpected times and places.
For example, at work yesterday, God taught me something.
I had decided I was going to strive to work for Him, rather than for people. Which meant I would strive to do my job with excellence, and really care about what I was doing, not just go through the motions.
As I was at work, a thought came into my mind... "If I (Jesus) were coming to inspect the store, what would you be doing right now?" I responded with another thought... "Well I would be working a lot harder and faster and doing a lot of cleaning to make it spotless."
Then this is where it all got real.
I got a response...
"You would do that if I were coming to visit the store, but I am in your heart and life every day, and you don't keep that spotless."
Ouch.
Living a holy and perfect life is difficult. Many would say impossible. I know that we all strive to be perfect (on/in our own power).... but what if we gave the controls to God, and asked Him to teach us how to live pure and holy lives before Him? I think we would see a big change...
Just something to think about.
For example, at work yesterday, God taught me something.
I had decided I was going to strive to work for Him, rather than for people. Which meant I would strive to do my job with excellence, and really care about what I was doing, not just go through the motions.
As I was at work, a thought came into my mind... "If I (Jesus) were coming to inspect the store, what would you be doing right now?" I responded with another thought... "Well I would be working a lot harder and faster and doing a lot of cleaning to make it spotless."
Then this is where it all got real.
I got a response...
"You would do that if I were coming to visit the store, but I am in your heart and life every day, and you don't keep that spotless."
Ouch.
Living a holy and perfect life is difficult. Many would say impossible. I know that we all strive to be perfect (on/in our own power).... but what if we gave the controls to God, and asked Him to teach us how to live pure and holy lives before Him? I think we would see a big change...
Just something to think about.
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