Get a Strong Hold!

Psalm 18:1-2
1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Normally when I think of strongholds I think of something that has an authority of my mind, body, and soul. Sometimes strongholds can be not so good... like overeating or even smoking. Sometimes people can have a stronghold of unforgiveness or bitterness. Most of the time strongholds take joy from our lives. When I give things that are not of God authority over my life I wind up feeling drained and depressed sometimes even convicted. However, when I give God authority over my life and allow Him to be my stronghold allow Him to take a strong hold over the situations I face I feel peace, comfort, and overwhelming joy. Whatever our strongholds are God is more powerful than them. We need to remember that He is our strength our fortress, He protects us... He shields us... He provides salvation so we do not need to perish.

Today we all have New Year's resolutions flowing through our heads. Some of us may be even saying to ourselves that we are trying to shake off strongholds in our lives. Perhaps a stronghold of unworthiness or maybe just trying to be more healthy. Whatever our New Year's resolutions are we need to remember that they will fail without allowing God to help us with them. We need to lean on Him for our strength we need to lean on Him to be our shield. GOD has a strong "hold" on your life He is just waiting for you to surrender completely to His will. So this New Year's let's make a resolution to allow God to be our one and only "stronghold".

Happy New Year! I love you all and be safe!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Plant Your Praise

Psalm 103:21-22
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

This holiday I sang Hark the Herold Angels Sing on Christmas Eve at a service at my church. When I walked into the sanctuary I had this overwhelming feeling of darkness surround me. I know the lights were dim and the candles were lit but lately I've been feeling overwhelmed with darkness quite a bit and I really need to get into the presence of God through worship. It's amazing how overwhelmed I can get sometimes and when I get overwhelmed sometimes I forget to stop and smell the roses. Sometimes I forget to count my blessings and thank God for the wonderful things I do have.
I'm not proud to say that today was a bit emotional for me. I'm growing and maturing and sometimes when we grow we get growing pains. You ever feel like spreading your wings but your cage is too small? So I have to learn to be patient and wait on God until the environment I'm in allows me to spread my wings to soar. However, I'm continuing to praise Him I'm continuing to honor Him. I am continuing to just keep moving forward until the time comes when I am able to not only soar with my God given "mature" wings but I am also able to use my spiritual gifts to their fullest capacity. The bible says that when we are children we think like children but when we are older we put away childish things. I'm realizing I've been holding onto a lot of childish things lately. Even if it's the hurt that I've been holding onto my whole life or maybe insecurities. God wants me to grow in Him, He's calling me out of those childish things. He wants me to continue to praise Him but not as a child anymore. He wants me to praise Him with a mature heart. A heart that is firmly planted in the word (truth) and spiritually rooted in His unconditional love. When I stretch my branches toward the Son I worship Him wholeheartedly not with the faith of a child who is sheltered but with the faith of an adult who has gone through some major storms but is still able to hold strong and worship Him. That's worth praising for wouldn't you think?

Matthew 22:27
Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'

Heart of Worship

Psalm 103:19-20
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

When I think of praising God someday in heaven I always imagine Him seated on the throne and I'm dressed in a beautiful dress. I twirl around and around and the dress just keeps sparkling as I dance before Him. It is almost as if I'm a ballerina but then I am able to float and keep twirling. Usually this vision occurs to me when I get lost in worship and when I open my eyes again I loose my balance because I feel like my feet just touched the floor again. I wonder if anyone else feels this way. When my grandma died everyone told me that he was in heaven singing for God. My grandpa loved to sing. I can just imagine him sometimes in God's presence singing and worshiping the one he lived all his life for. I just get an overwhelming sense of adoration when I think of being in the presence of God and I'm at the foot of His throne. I can't imagine what it will be like to be free from all the affliction and oppression of earthly things and to be able to freely worship Him. I wouldn't doubt that I'd be able to float as I danced because I would feel so happy there would be nothing able to keep me down. For once everyday would be filled with just praise and adoring the one I love and the one I'm living my life for.
On earth we try to praise God but sometimes our earthly bodies are burdened with stress and maybe even sickness or handicap that keep us from worshiping in our fullest. However, if you close your eyes with me sometime and just allow the worship music to play, enter into His presence with thanks giving then realize how free and amazing it can be worshiping Him without those burdens.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

Honor Starts in the Heart

Psalm 103:17-18 AMP
17But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children-- 18To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their heart].

A while ago my parent's church was doing a series on honor. The pastor gave several examples of biblical characters who chose to honor God by obeying Him and having fear and reverence for Him. These characters were blessed in return for their obedience and honor. The bible reminds me to live like the saints but sometimes I get caught up in my flesh telling me that God will love me no matter what. One time (in my past that I repented of) I actually convinced myself that I was able to sin because God would forgive me. WOW did I feel awful after sinning. I thought my life would never be better and I knew I didn't deserve the mercy of God. I don't even know why I ever convinced myself to dishonor Him. I will never do that AGAIN!

When we deliberately step outside the will of God it does not honor Him and He will not bless us. If anything His will is to keep our path straight so we will be safe and healthy. His path keeps us out of danger. However if we don't know God's word we wont know His will and we wont be able to honor Him. That is why we are suppose to meditate on the word of God day and night and get to know God's will and plan for our lives.

I am sure you all have heard the scripture "obey your mother and father and your days will be long upon the earth"? I certainly do my parents wouldn't let me forget it growing up. I knew that if obeyed and honored my parents I would be blessed but if I dishonored them my rear end would be pretty sore. If God wishes for us to obey Him and we are His children than shouldn't we obey and fear Him just like we do our parents. Shouldn't we want to try our best to please Him? Not because we are afraid of getting a spanking but because we love to hear Him say "well done good and faithful servant". I know I want to honor and obey God. I am going to try to read my bible more so I can learn how to stay in His will.

If we set the example and obey and honor our heavenly Father our children and children's children will learn to be obedient an honor God also. Not only will they honor God but in doing so more than likely they will honor their us as well. We need to teach honor and obedience to our youth and the only way we can do that is to get them into the word of God and practice what we are teaching.

Psalm 119:105 (The Message)

By your words I can see where I'm going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I've committed myself and I'll never turn back
from living by your righteous order.
Everything's falling apart on me, God;
put me together again with your Word.
Festoon me with your finest sayings, God;
teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
but I don't forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
but I don't swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever—
what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
I always have and always will.

Flourishing Flowers

Psalm 103:15-16
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

A wise counselor once told me that my problems were only temporary. When I get so caught up in worrying about life sometimes I forget that it is temporary. I forget that there is a greater thing waiting for me when my time on earth comes to an end. I feel that I am meant to reveal that life on earth is meant to be enjoyed. My life is meant for me to shine His light and use the spiritual gifts that He has given me. Without using the spiritual gifts and without living for God my life has no significant purpose. However, with those spiritual gifts I can flourish like the flowers of the field. And although the flowers of the field are gone tomorrow the still have the ability to pollinate other flowers or release seeds that will be blown in the wind and carried away to other places to again repeat the process of pollinating and releasing seeds. God calls us to be flowers, although our time on earth is short we are called to reach as many people as we can in that time. If I plant a seed in another they will plant a seed in another person. Sooner or later we will all bloom into something beautiful. It's not about how long my life is... it is about what I've done to make a difference while I lived. So start living today, be a flower! Hold onto His promise and His purpose for your life and realize... our problems are only temporary and so is life so don't let problems consume our lives and let's make the most of life instead!

Isaiah 40:8
" The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”

Gust and Dust

Psalm 103:13-14
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

I am basically nothing but "dirt" without His breath of life in me. He had enough compassion for me to die for me. When my earthly flesh gets a hold on me and I sin I am forgiven because He sent Jesus to die for me... someone who is merely dirt with the breath of God which makes me come alive.
It is interesting that dandruff resembles dust. When my body flakes off old skin it basically forms dust that floats and settles somewhere. It might be distributing for you to think about but it is very interesting to me. At a funeral they say "ashes to ashes and dust to dust". When I get buried my flesh will be worm food basically. Without that breathe that God put into me (my spirit) I am just dust. When I die my flesh wont live on but my spirit will.
I know you are probably saying well I wasn't formed from dust I was formed in my mother's womb or woman was formed from Adam's rib. Well think about it, no matter where you came from that person came from Adam and Adam was made from dust. It is something very humbling. What would you be today if not for God?

Genesis 2:7
7Then the Lord God formed man from the [a]dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.

God's Love is HUGE!

Psalm 103:11-12
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

When I was a little girl I enjoyed laying in the grass and I felt like I could see where the sky would curve. I really believed that the world was round even if I had never seen it. I also really believed that God's love was immense and deep. Not only was God's love for me so great that He had His "only" begotten Son die on the cross to save me from eternal suffering, but He would not hesitate to reach me "anywhere". It was a deep thought for a young child but I really believed that God was real because I felt Him flowing in my heart. I never understood the Holy Spirit until I was older but I knew God's love was something indescribable and unimaginably huge something that could and was suppose to be shared with everyone.

I also felt that it was my calling to be a missionary when I was eight years old. I met my first missionary when I was eight and I was ready to follow them back to Africa where they came from. I told my parents that I wanted to go to Africa and they told me about every danger that lurked over there. I soon realized what fear was and what "limitations" it puts on a person's faith. When I was older my pastor once said "It's more dangerous to be outside of God's will than it is to step out in faith and be in God's will". I realize now that He was talking about anything we are afraid to do for God. Has fear ever kept you from doing something you felt called to do? If God's love is sooooooooo huge it stretches from the earth way up to heaven and His mercy is so incredible it reaches as far as the east is from the west than can't He protect us? So often I put God in a box. I do realize I limit God but I only realize it after I've already said no thanks to His will. When I'm outside God's will I am miserable. When I take that step of faith even though it might not be a comfortable one I realize that God has HIS BEST plan for my life. AND WOW IT'S AWESOME! I can't wait to see what He has in store for me over the next couple years of my life. So the next time someone approaches you and tells you about "how dangerous" it is... take them to God and let Him show them how amazing He is.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Keep Your Stupid Stone

Psalm 103:9-10
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

Wow! Am I happy that God does not treat me like I deserve because of my sins. I've made a lot of mistakes in life and I have been shown a lot of mercy from God. I'm very lucky to be in the place I am right now. There were times in my life where people tried to shoot me down or persecute me. Some people spit on me and mocked me. I had to deal with judgment from church members. I didn't always live a pure, godly, dignified lifestyle either. I am very thankful to God for His mercy and not giving the punishment I deserved.

Another woman in the bible felt this way also. As a woman myself I always wondered about the woman in John chapter eight. I wanted to know where was the man during this all? He was just as guilty as she was for the adultery and yet he was not being stoned. I am very thankful that God intercedes and "draws the line". I am grateful that His judgment is the only one that truly matters. I am sure this woman felt as thankful as I am today. I hope that she went on to live a happy guilt free life and finally met the man of her dreams who would treat her like the jewel God created her to be, polished, cleansed, and glimmering with the glory of God.

John 8
1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

God has mercy for you also. If you have ever done anything where others have cast stones of judgment or hypocrisy at you please share your story. I will pray that God helps you to realize that they should not be casting stones. Realize that God forgives and cleanses and erases "anything" with the blood of Jesus.

Be blessed!

Fear Not: Get Grace

Psalms 103:7-8
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

When I was younger I read the poem Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. This poem was written by a puritan who clearly did not read this scripture. Many people will tell me that God is love and in God there is no fear because perfect love casts out all fear. Whereas others will tell me that God will pour out His wrath on the world like He did in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. There are parts of the bible that tell me that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Fearing God is a good thing... however, irrational fear is a bad thing. God "is" a God of compassion and grace. I don't deserve His grace but He gives it to me. I do not need to fear because God is in charge of my life. However, when I step outside of God's will I need to realize I allow bad things to happen. God's will protects me when I walk down the path God wants me to walk down I are safe. However, if I step off that path and I get scraped by a pricker bush I can't say it's God's wrath. It was my choice to step off the path. There are consequences for my actions. It is a good thing to fear God because He is the only one who offers me life or death. I chose to server God so that I can be free of fear and walk in His will daily. The only fear I have now is the fear that I will step outside of God's will in my life. Other fears are needless because God is Almighty and All Powerful and He has already conquered everything I can face in life. I do not need to fear the wrath of God because Jesus Christ shed His blood to spare me from that wrath. The agony that Christ went through kept me from experiencing it ourselves when I accept Him. However, if I did not believe I would have suffered a far greater wrath in the lake of fire. Yet because I believe in Christ, although at times I may suffer on earth I will always have the promise of a mansion over the hilltop in my Father's place.

John 1:16
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Oppression Suppression

Psalm 103:5-6 AMP
5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!6The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.

Have you ever felt so oppressed it weighs you down? Sometimes some winter days it is so very difficult to get out of bed knowing that the day ahead may not be easy. God has to feed us that strength and courage to get through. Some days I lay there and stare at the ceiling and say "God okay I'm going to move my leg now ... we can do this together I know You will give me the strength to stand". I literally have to move my body inch by inch sometimes trusting that God will just get me to where He needs me.

If you've ever watched the movie The Princess Bride there is a scene where Wesley is completely paralyzed and could only speak. That is what oppression is like sometimes. Sometimes the only strength we have our our words. We need to learn to use our words wisely. We need to speak verses of promise over our situation. We need to pray in tongues. We need to tell Satan who REALLY reigns in our life. Remind Satan who already conquered the world. God will give you the strength He will get you through.

We can do it! Step by step one LEAP of faith at a time. Overcome that oppression and spread your wings and soar. Accept those blessings waiting for you beyond the clouds. Take new challenges and trust in God.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

In a Pity Pit?

Psalm 103:3-4
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

I have to admit I wasn't always the happiest, most joyful, person I am today. I had my times where things were a bit depressing. I was in a pit ... a pitty pit. I thought that everything I was going through was the worst I've ever been through. However, God showed me differently. He showed me how that self pity had gotten me into a thick gloppy mess of miserableness. I was sinning in order to get myself out of that gloppy mess of miserableness also. I wasn't even thinking about what God wanted because I was to stuck on myself. I to this day thank God for saving me and forgiving me and rescuing me from that pit of pity. I am thankful to God because when I was depressed no one wanted to be around me. However, God showed me love and compassion. So now when I see others going through some awful times and they thinking everything is the worst thing they can go through I can show them love and compassion and help them climb out of that pity pit and into a nice wellspring of overwhelming joy and peace. The peace that God gives us.

Psalm 40:2 AMP
He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.

The Benefit of Praise

Psalm 103:1-2
1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—

How many of us realize that being a Christian is not easy? Some people think when they come to Christ everything will be a breeze. Well, God blesses us when we remain faithful to Him through our storms. When we praise His name all the time even when we really are struggling to find hope. The times that the Psalms were written were not exactly happy times entirely. However David and Solomon really continued to praise God even through the storms. We see sometimes David wept and other times he lept. He was crying one second and rejoicing the next. God does love to hear the cries of our hearts. David did turn to God in his hour of trial. That is what God wants us to do. David worshiped God through it all even if he questioned God he still kept worshiping. By reading the Psalms we see this this. Our soul should be praising God no matter what. He will turn our mourning into joy, our sorrow into gladness, He will restore our strength. All these "benefits" you can read about if you just spend time in the Psalms. Being a Christian isn't always easy no but we do have the promises of God to hold onto and the blessings for persevering under trials.

James 1:12
Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Generations of Joy

Psalm 45:15-17
15 Led in with joy and gladness,
they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

I love when our youth gets so excited for God that they "want" to be at church. When I see teenagers inviting other teenagers to youth group it makes me smile. The youth is important because they are our future. Okay ladies don't say eww or think I'm crazy but... someday you will be mothers if it is God's will for you to be. Ultimately though you have the ability to do great things. You can shine your light to the world. The world looks at you yes... the world looks at our youth and thinks why are they so messed up? Well, you ladies and yes you guys also who are going to church and bringing your friends, you are looked at as a light. A light we need in our world today. A light that is greatly lacking. This verse above says to take the "place of your fathers". So many times... we compare ourselves to our parents. We do not want to be like them. We think maybe even sometimes they are boring or don't understand us. However, God hasn't called us to be like our parents. God wants us to take the place of our parents. If we have generational curses it is up to us to break them. Time to shine the joy that past generations have been lacking. Bring your light to life. Stand up and realize that we are called to battle and it takes us young people to show God's glory and victory over the enemy.

Some of you who read this may be older but it's still not to late for you to be joyful also. God calls us to have a childlike faith. He wants to keep us ever joyful and youthful in our hearts. Also, God wants you to know that you will have a great impact on today's youth if you can shine that light inside you enough for them to realize joy doesn't fade. It's so easy through the years of hardship for our lights to fade. I'm sure a lot of you older readers have had a lot of hardships. It's time to release those to God and keep shining and moving forward.

Generations to come will still be learning to worship learning to express the joy of Christ's salvation. However if it doesn't start now it will fade. So be strong be like Jehoshaphat's army our worshipers at the front and let's win this battle! Are you ready?

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Be a Princess!

Psalm 45:12-14
12 The city of Tyre will come with a gift,[a]
people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber;
her gown is interwoven with gold.
14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
her virgin companions follow her—
those brought to be with her.

Have you ever played dress up? You want to be the princess you want to have your prince charming. Or you may even go kiss a frog. Perhaps you've lived so long trying to believe in fairy tales. Well today I'm teaching you that your fairy tale comes true. Jesus Christ is our prince charming. No really? seriously... He is the Prince of Peace and we are His Princess. We are the bride of Christ and He wants to clothe us in beautiful garments. He wants to put His crown of anointing upon our heads and claim us as His chosen. We are to serve Him and love, honor, and adore Him just as any real princess would. We are to allow Him to spoil us also. We should receive His favor and blessings even if we feel that we don't deserve it... because WE DO! We are to adorn ourselves as jewels as rare treasures. We are to present ourselves as pure and forgiven and clothed in beautiful clothes. Keep believing you are a princess girls because you are!

Isaiah 61:10-11
10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder

Psalm 45:9-11
9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.

God looks at you as His beautiful creation. He created you to be His bride. He wants you to honor Him. By honoring God we become more beautiful in His eyes. We might wake up some days and feel like we have the worst hair day or our face is broken out. We do not feel beautiful. God doesn't see our outward beauty. He sees the beauty of your heart and your actions.

When I realized how God saw me as beautiful He opened my heart to love myself more. The more I saw myself the way God did... forgiven, cleansed, purified, beautiful. The more others saw me as beautiful as well. It's really something when my heart reflects the beauty of my Creator.

The next time you compare yourself to worldly beauty remember... the bible says not to compare ourselves. It also says don't conform ourselves to patterns of the world... instead be transformed through the renewing of your mind.

One of my favorite symbols of beauty is a butterfly. When I think of my walk with God I started off low to the ground (the world) like a caterpillar. I was not very beautiful but the more I munched on the word of God the more I grew. Until I meditated on it I formed a chrysalis in God's presence. While I rested in the presence of God I transformed into something beautiful. Until He was ready for me to burst out and show the wonderful gifts He gave me. However, even as butterflies in the wild... my wings were not strong immediately. I had to rest in the protection of God in order to grow more until I was strong enough to soar. Now I am soaring for Him... for His glory. I am beautiful, I am transformed, I left my old self in that chrysalis and I am now soaring to see what God has planned for my future.

Keep your inner beauty girls.

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Get God to Smile :)

Psalm 45:8
8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory
the music of the strings makes you glad.

Yes I dance around the kitchen floor sometimes in my socks and pajamas singing praise and worship music. Sure someday I would love to dance before God and praise Him every day. Wouldn't it be great if we could constantly be in His presence and praise Him? It's actually not as bad as you think. Really, whenever I get the opportunity I burst out into praise. Even in the gloomiest of days when nothing seems to be shimmering and everything is dull I can't help but praise God. You know why? It's beyond the earth it gets me to picture myself by His throne in His presence where the air is sweet and fragrant and the palace is beautiful. Yes I will praise Him like David. David praised with a harp and singing but we have been gifted with many ways to praise God. Some of us may not be able to carry a tune but we praise God in our everyday life by helping others and being a living testimony.

Whatever your praise language is God is smiling at it! God rejoices when we praise Him.

In your gloom of your room or in the joy of your kitchen offer up your praise to Him today!

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Give Me Oil in My Lamp

Psalm 45:7
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Today I will be talking about oil and what the oil represents. However, first because it is Saturday you all know that we have our women of the week. This week's women can be found in Matthew 25, the ten virgins. We represent the bride and the Holy Spirit represents the oil. Of course the bridegroom is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

So what does this scripture tell us? Unless we have the oil inside and unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will not be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven when Christ returns. We need to keep ourselves prepared and filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. We need to burn for Him constantly. So keep filling yourselves with that oil. The oil in Psalm 45 that brings joy.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

What's in Your Heart?

A throne or an arrow?


Psalm 45:5-6
5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

So often we hear about the full armor of God but we forget how significantly important it is. God just doesn't want us to stand protected He wants us to fight. Fight for justice and honor. Fight for the real truth that the world often forgets. It is important for us to stand firm and tell the truth. The truth is our biggest weapon against the prince of lies Satan himself. It rescues the prisoners and sets them free it unshackles them from the things Satan has convinced them to believe. We are not fighting against people we are fighting against Satan. We don't want to lose people we want to capture their hearts for Christ and hold them safely and retrain them to become faithful to the King of kings.

God wants us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That is the just thing to do. If God is truly on the throne of our hearts that is what we will learn to do. However, that doesn't mean that we keep our enemies in darkness. That doesn't me we don't walk and talk in truth with them. Even people who are not believers of Christ need to hear the truth of God's word.

Today I was talking on the phone with a girl who my brother was ministering to. She was explaining how she's been in abusive relationship after abusive relationship and is tired of the jerks. She said and the sad part was the nice guys like the bad girls. I told her to keep holding onto the promises of God... but I told her... without mentioning God at first. I said realize who you are and realize you deserve the best. We need to realize who we are in Christ (we are a new creation purified through His blood) we need to realize we never have to settler (I shall not want). Everyone of us needs to realize God's plans for us are for our best (Jeremiah 29:11). We need to stay in the truth in all times!


Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Sword Fighting

Psalm 45:3-4
3 O warrior, strap your sword to your side
with your splendor and majesty.
4 Ride on victoriously in your majesty
for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.
Let your right hand teach you awe-inspiring things.

God has soooo many awe-inspiring things to show us in life. We are blessed to be able to ride in the presence of His Majesty victoriously. However in order for us to fully receive those blessings and those awe-inspiring things, we need to live truthful, humble, and righteous lifestyles. In order to do this we need to know how. The best way to learn how to live a right life with Christ is to read His word. By strapping ourselves with the word of God and taking up the Sword of Truth we can separate truth from lies. Satan is always trying to trick us into thinking a certain way or believing in something that is not of God. Sometime Satan even uses our friends or loved ones to get us to question God's will. Well, it is much easier to discern what awe-inspiring things God has for your life when you stay in His word.

Today I had a pretty rough day I was faced with some choices to make about how I would respond to stressful things. I had the opportunity to have a very negative attitude. However, I know the bible tells us to be humble and live righteously. I prayed to God and asked my boyfriend to pray for me as well. I really needed help from God to get through my day. He got me through I was able to act the right way and not let my feelings control what attitude I took. I was allowing God to control my attitude instead. Being in God's word is INCREDIBLY important. I call myself a Christ follower and I need to show people that I know what choices to make. My actions reflect the King of kings that is seated on the throne of my heart. In ALL things I need to honor Him. That is why I have my sword.

You can know your word too! Start by memorizing some key scriptures. I hope this blog will help you to have your sword ready as well!

Keep Fighting!

Micah 6:8
You mortals, the LORD has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.

Keep in His Step

Psalm 45:2
You are fairer than the children of men; graciousness is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

A friend of mine posted a scripture today about the beatitudes. When we read the beatitudes we forget that everything being described was what Christ Himself practiced. When we say we are followers of Christ we say that we are willing to live life after Him. Practicing the virtues that Christ possessed only helps you. The more we learn about Christ the more we get to learn about His ways. The more we learn about His ways the more likely we are to start acting like Him. The more we learn about God the more godly we become. That is why it important to read God's word and put His word into practice. Let's practice today and remember that we want to be like Christ and keep in His step.

Galations 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

The Power of Praise

Psalm 45:1
Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the King, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

Have you ever had so much praise in your heart that it was just welling up inside and overflowing? Well David did and there have been times when a lot of people have. It's incredible listening to a praise and worship song and realizing someone wrote those words to honor and glorify God. What is your favorite worship song? Think about how meaningful the words are. God's words are far more precious than our words can ever be. However, He delights when we praise Him. In fact, our praise is our offering and God loves an offering. Our praise to Him is like a nice juicy steak being roasted on a fire... as we pour out what is inside of us the aroma goes up to God's nostrils and He loves it so much. It pleases Him greatly. I want to encourage you that if God has given you the gift of words... use them. If God has given you a passion for writing poetry and music whatever He gave you a passion for... do it for Him!

A couple years ago I was prophecized over at a campus ministry. The message from God for me was to keep writing songs and poems but that I was never to sing them to people. I didn't quite understand this. Now I do as I'm older. They are to glorify and honor Him and He wants it to be like a personal love letter that shouldn't be shared because it is just "that" intimate. There is no fear of others and what they will think... it is just a personal thing for God. Occasionally I publish some of my poems but I only publish ones that I believe will help people through some difficult times. I do that also to honor God.

There is this man who plays the saxaphone at my church and sometimes the Holy Spirit annoints him so much he will just go at it. It is amazing to watch and honestly I doubt that he realizes anyone is watching him. It is such a blessing to see him give his all his gift to God and hear how wonderful it is. Sometimes if I close my eyes and just listen and let the Holy Spirit move through me... I hear it close to as beautifully as God hears it and it overwhelms me.

True worship is beautiful. Give your all to Him and let Him flow through you today. Don't care about the crowd.

Psalm 50:3
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.

Are You a Martha or a Mary?

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In this season when we entertain family and friends it is very easy to get caught up in preparing things and doing a lot of busy work. Sometimes we may even accidentally ignore our guests while we clean up or cook. There are just sometimes when we need to take a break from our responsibility and get into God's presence. Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like you were on fast forward. You may not remember the last time you got to sit down? Well, this story can help you. God doesn't want us to get so busy that we don't have enough time for Him. He will take care of things also. God will help you get those dishes done! You just need to trust Him! Be still and know He is God. Realize what is really important in life. See God through things. Remember God "never" gives you more than you can handle.

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.

A Sure Sign

Psalm 121: 7-8
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

A couple months ago I was down in North Carolina visiting family for my dad and my aunt's birthday. We had an amazing time but half way down we were faced with a problem. The ABS, cruise control, and several other things in the Jeep started malfunctioning. My dad was "not" happy. Sometimes when my dad gets upset about things not only does his "spirit" get heavy but his foot does also. Well, we were going down a hill and my dad stepped on his breaks. On the sides of the road were ditches. The tires screeched and the car skidded fast. I was grabbing onto anything I could for dear life. We just stopped right in front of a sign. A sign that said "Jesus Saves". WOW was my family thankful for that reminder. Even when we are foolish and maybe even get an attitude with God He still rescues us He still watches over us and keeps us safe. He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us. If He loved us that much why wouldn't you expect Him to do "anything" to keep you safe. This is "your" sign and it's a big one. God loves you! He wants to show you He can keep you safe. No matter what way your foot slips He will keep you from falling if you just lean on Him.

Psalm 66:9
Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

Feeling Burnt?

Psalm 121
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

God is our protector. Think about a hot summer day when you went to the beach. What did you need? Did you need sunscreen? I wear this big pink hat with a big white flower on it. It's sort of become a trademark where I used to work. However, I don't wear it to look cute or goofy. I wear it because if I don't I get fried by the overwhelming rays of the sun. Well, sometimes things in life can be a bit overwhelming also. God is there with his hand shading us and protecting us. He's making sure no harm comes to us so we can rest assured and put our hope and trust in Him. If you are like me and can only use sunblock that is for babies because you are very sensitive... rest assure God knows exactly how sensitive you are because He created you. He made you the way you are and He will not let harm come to something He created with a purpose.

How can we make sure we are protected so we don't "burn"? Well, study God's word. No I mean really study it don't just read it... breathe live eat it. Also make sure you pray. Pray in tongues! Keep praying until something amazing happens. AND HAVE FAITH! Even when things happen that you didn't expect. God DOES have a plan for everything you may not see it right away but it's there. Trust Him and know that you are protected and able to go out there and start shimmering and showing people His love.

Psalm 18:2
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

He's Watching You

Psalm 121
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

God never sleeps... even when we sleep He watches over us. He never shuts His eyes or turns His back on us. Perhaps that might seem a bit creepy to you. Perhaps you would like a little privacy now and then. Well, what would you do that you wouldn't do in the open. When I think about my life being an "open book" I think well I need the accountability. If I live my life like someone is watching I know to stay out of trouble. It's when we try to hide ourselves and our actions that we get into trouble. We need to keep in the light and not stumble in the darkness. When we keep things where people can see them we have nothing to be ashamed of. No one can hold false things against us because there is always someone who is a witness. God is your witness all the time He sees what you do. Someday we will be accountable for our actions. Will God like how we lived our lives?

Think about it... is there anything today that you need to confess something maybe you do not want God or others to see? All it takes is repentance. When I repented things I kept in the dark I felt so free and light afterward. Don't stay stumbling pick yourself up and follow Him.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

A Cry for Help

Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

There once was a little girl who felt so confused when her dad lost his temper and would start hurting everyone in her family. It hurt her watching her mom be treated poorly and she never really felt that pain when she was hit herself. No matter how much she tried to interject she learned that it was not safe to do so. So she kept quiet and tried to always behave and please everyone so no one would become upset. She dreaded her mother's tears and her father's wrath. However she longed for those days when she could go to church and learn about a God who loved her so much because it was so comforting and peaceful. That same little girl was the girl who always was being told she was naughty when she never did anything naughty. But deep inside she knew that God knew she was good and loved her. Growing up in a house where anyone could explode at anytime for anything was not easy. However, she hid most of the time and spent a lot of time praying. Maybe this story sounds familiar to you?
There are people around you everyday crying out for help. Prayer changes things. Maybe you can not do much "but" pray. Prayer is a powerful thing. When we rest our eyes on God and cry out for help He does hear us. He will protect us. Maybe we feel like we are doomed and miserable but even in our misery He hears us. God is a Father yes... but He is a Father that knows REAL love. A Father who is nurturing and loves you even when you do something wrong. God rejoices when He sees you do things that please Him. He frowns when He sees you do things that don't please Him... but not because He doesn't love you... it is because He loves you, He worries you will get hurt. God tries everything He can to protect us but sometimes He can not protect us from ourselves. We need to take action also. Make sure when you call out to God for help that you have tried everything you can. Otherwise just pray. He will be there with open arms, an open schedule, and an open lap to sit on. Bask in His presence daily and draw closer to Him. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is Father of the fatherless, Healer of the broken hearted, Comforter, Protector, Strong Tower, Shelter... it is okay to cling to Him.

If this reached you and you feel like you need prayer... don't hesitate to come to me. If you need to talk about "anything" I will keep everything confidential. I love you. So does God.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord how long? Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake! (Ps 6.2-4)

Yo Mama of Virtue :)

What makes you beautiful?

Virtuous woman is a person of confidence and kindness.

She “perceives that her merchandise is good,” She doesn’t believe the devils lies saying “you’re no good, you’re good, you’re no good”. But she is also humble. Daughter of God, arrogance is ugly, but there are few things more attractive than a woman who knows exactly who God has made her to be, who she is.

1 Peter 3:3-7 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. (NIV)

Remember to view yourselves as beautiful! BECAUSE GOD DOES! HE MADE YOU MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES!

Proverbs 31
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

“The virtuous woman is decorated with strength and honor. By now you know that life is not for the fainthearted. To live well, you must develop strength spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. But in your growing strong, be careful not to leave behind your femininity, your grace, your gentles, and your tender heart. Strive for honor and integrity, remembering always that the truth makes you free. You can lose a lot, but if you hold on to your honor, you will always be rich.” – T.D. Jakes

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Get Up Right w/ God

Psalm 25:21-22
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you.

22 Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!

Integrity is a big word. The teaching program I am in requires you to demonstrate integrity. YES they give you tribulations to help you practice and test your integrity. God also gives us tribulations but He does promise He will never give us more than we can bare. I have one month left in the teaching program and God got me through it. Integrity and Uprightness will protect you. One time I had a professor who just did not like me at all, I still don't understand why. My parents suggested it was because of my faith or just because our personalities clashed. It was a difficult thing because they were grading me very unfairly. I tried to explain to them that I had done everything and made my best effort to fix things. However, it was just not going to happen so I withdrew from the course and talked to the dean of the program. I was honest and upright. In return the professor admitted to disliking me and I got to retake the course for free with a different professor. Sometimes God gives you obstacles to test you. I cried a lot because I was wronged by my professor but I stood by what I believed to be true. God honored me when I stood up and He provided another way. I can now hold it together when I know people dislike me for no logical reason. I built integrity. God will rescue us if He sees we are mistreated. He will deliver us from the paths of those who want to see harm come to us. We do need to stay upright and honor Him though. Keep upright and He will keep you up right.

James 1:12
12 Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him

Surrounded by the Enemy

Psalm 25:19-20
19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!

20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.

I read a short story in Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul a couple years ago about a man who was stationed in a war zone. The enemy surrounded this man but then as he prayed the enemy retreated. One day he bumped into one of the enemy soldiers and asked them why they all retreated. The enemy soldier said "At first we thought you were all alone but when we saw all those people with their weapons we knew we couldn't survive". The man immediately thanked God for the angels that he was not able to see that surrounded him and protected him that day. God is always listening to us and He is just waiting for us to call out for help. Yes, in this world you will have enemies. Jesus often had to flee from people who wished to harm Him. He always was protected by God so that He would be used until the day God decided to show us His resurrection and transcendence.
God protects us but He needs us sometimes on the battlefield where it can get dangerous. Remember that your true enemy (Satan) is already defeated. When Jesus died and rose again Satan knew someday he will have to be cast into the pit of fire. Satan tries to attack while he can but even he realizes that he is already defeated. Do not let him convince you otherwise. God has given us the power over Satan to rebuke him. God also tells us to pray for our enemies. Think about it... are they really bad or are they just letting Satan use them? Pray for them pray in tongues! Bless them and coals will burn over their heads. :)

Malachi 4:3 "And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts."

An Anchor for the Anguished

Psalm 25:17-18
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

A while ago I had gotten out of an abusive relationship and I remember those days when I spent the nights crying myself to sleep. I wondered why anyone who said they could love me could ever be so unloving. My heart was deeply anguished. I always prayed to God for relief. Yes I was a frequent visitor to the alter for alter call and I just did not see God releasing me from the hurt. However, one day at church after being judged by my ex for something wrongly accusing me of being a horrible Christian well I just lost it. I ran to the bathroom and cried my eyes out. I was done with the hurt. I was done with compromising myself for him and never feeling like I was ever good enough. WOW did I wake up! Some ladies in the church helped me wake up they told me to dump him like a hot potato. I did that and he started stalking me and slandering my name. I was still anguished because I was still being abused even though I wasn't in a relationship with him he was using guilt trips on me still and even though I cut off all communication he would attack me through my friends. I even felt as if I deserved it because of all the sins I compromised myself into in that relationship. However, I repented of those sins. I ran away from the relationship and I started running to God. I ran to God for comfort and He picked me up out of the miry clay. He cleaned me off and He put my feet on solid ground. He restored my relationship with my best friend and He surrounded me with Godly women who love me and remind me what a real relationship is all about. He also has recently blessed me with a close friend who is male who does like me and yes I do like him also who encourages me to look to God for everything I need. My close friend is kind to me and yes it is quite foreign to me but I'm just trusting and resting in God daily. God has better plans out there. We may go through storms but He has our sails He knows how to steer us away from destruction. I thank God that He took the helm of my heart and became Captain of my love boat.

In your times of anguish and distress cry out to Him He is listening, He loves you, He cares! Keep hope in Him!

Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Psalm 25:15-16
15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.
16[Lord] turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

Ever feel lonely even when you are in a crowd full of people? I have! I've even felt lonely when I was in a relationship with someone. Sometimes there is an emptiness inside of us that can not be filled with humans. Sometimes it takes a big God to fill a big void. The great thing about turning our eyes on the Lord is He never turns His back on us. When we are lonely and need someone to listen and love us He is there! We may feel from time to time that we will never find "true love". The truth is we already have. God is love! Jesus Christ showed His love for us by dying for us. Who do you know that would be willing to give their lives for millions of people they have never even met before? He even died for people that "no one" talks to. If you are one of those people that feels alone... invite Jesus in to keep you company. He takes away your pain and gives you JOY! OVERFLOWING!

Try it! I'm praying for you chin up and look up to the Lord!

Isaiah 40:26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Inspiring Israel: Be God's Chosen

Psalm 25:13-14
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

Many of you know that I've been studying so much lately for tests to get my teaching certification so I can teach anywhere. Well, in the midst of celebrating two were over and then resting afterward I totally forgot about our woman of the week yesterday. I will make it up to you by doing two women of the week this week. Today's woman of the week will be Israel. I'm sure you all realize that Israel is not a woman... but the bible addresses Israel in Isaiah 54 as the bride of the Lord. When I read our scripture for today above I thought of Israel. Yes, God was speaking to the nation of Israel but I believe that what He says also speaks to us, especially us women.

The scripture is a big sandwich to swallow all in one blog so I'm going to pull out the sandwich apart like little kids do.

First let's go to these scriptures:
2Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes, 3For you will spread abroad to the right hand and to the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

In Psalms 25:13 it talks about prosperity in the land. I like this scripture because it talks about Israel as being a mother with a big house. Not only does it talk about Israel being a mother but God is telling her "spare not". Mothers "spare not" for their children. My mother always trusted that God would be her provider and she never spared anything even until this day she always gives her children what they need. She doesn't fear because she realizes that God is in control and He provides. We need to realize that even if our husbands on earth do not bring enough bacon home that ultimately God is the bacon provider and He will get you through.

So let's read on:
4Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. 5For your Maker is your Husband--the Lord of hosts is His name--and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.

God wants to be our husbands He knows our past. He loves us and has called us out of fear and redeemed us. So we place our fear in Him and He in return makes His covenant known to us (Psalm 25:14). You all remember Ruth right? If you don't go back and read that blog again. Ruth was a widow she didn't fear because she placed her trust in God. She feared God though so she obeyed His instruction and did what He wanted her to do. In the end? She was completely blessed and followed His covenant. That is what we are to do also, completely trust God, obey Him, and follow His covenant (which the New Testament says is Jesus).

Okay ready to read on? This get's deep even for me:
6For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken, grieved in spirit, and heartsore--even a wife [wooed and won] in youth, when she is [later] refused and scorned, says your God. 7For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather you [to Me] again. 8In a little burst of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with age-enduring love and kindness I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. 9For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. 10For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.11 O you afflicted [city], storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in fair colors [in antimony to enhance their brilliance] and lay your foundations with sapphires.

Have you ever felt like there are just some tribulations in life that you have faced and you feel, how could God let this happen to me? Well there is your answer right there! His love and kindness will not depart from us that we "had" to go through all that maybe even to realize that He showed mercy on us and compassion. He picks us up when others have forsaken us. He rebuilds our hope and our value. He rebuilds our foundations and lays them with "sapphires" (funny that's my birthstone). God loves us and He wants us to know that without Him as our foundation we "are" going to crumble. We need Him just like Israel needed Him to be prosperous with a purpose.

Keep reading it only gets better:

12And I will make your windows and pinnacles of [sparkling] agates or rubies, and your gates of [shining] carbuncles, and all your walls [of your enclosures] of precious stones. 13And all your [spiritual] children shall be disciples [taught by the Lord and obedient to His will], and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. 14You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God's will and order): you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

People say the eyes are the window to the soul. Are your eyes sparkling with the Holy Spirit? He made you more precious than rubies... your soul reflects that beauty. Reading on, who doesn't want their children to grow up to be great disciples? The bible says that if you raise a child in the way they should go they will not part from it. I am a living example of that. I have grown up in a family where they raised me to be a disciple and someday I will be blessed with my own family and I will raise them as disciples it's a very strong calling and we women know we can do it!

What next? He keeps us far from fear, terror, destruction, and oppression... I can get used to feeling secure in God can you?

15Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you. 16Behold, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I have created the devastator to destroy. 17But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

A friend of mine is a female scientist and she is going through a really rough time in her work environment. She had to put up with a world that says women aren't meant to be in the position she is in. They don't let her talk. She's struggling to find voice in this place. However, here is something that says there is "no" weapon against us that will prosper. God is our vindication. It takes a might woman to stand up in a world that is not "cut out" for them. God must have a strong purpose in their life. God has a strong purpose in your life also. Realize today that just like Israel He loves you! He wants to be "your Husband". He wants you to raise His children to follow Him. He banishes all shame and fear from you! He laid precious jewels at your foundation which is in Him! Keep gleaming and believing you are worthy! I love you all!

P.S. BTW when I went to go post this my browser crashed but thanks to God! It was still there when I restored it! Seee!!! No weapon formed against us will prosper!

Awaiting Instruction

Psalm 25:11-12
11 For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

It was a beautiful day today the sun was shining the sky was clear and no clouds. I got out of my test and I felt amazing peace. I wanted to share the peace with a close friend that I had so I texted him to invite him over after asking my parents. Okay I will admit that I like this friend a lot. I just feel great when he is around I really enjoy his company. We both get along very well and we both long to honor and respect God's will. We don't want to rush into a relationship right now because we want to be sure that it's God's will. I feel that's wise right? How difficult waiting for God's response sometimes. I fear God sure that's why I'm waiting. I want this to be a blessing... and we are not moving forward until we know it is.

I'm glad God is a forgiving God that He forgives our iniquities. My parents helped me see myself for who I really am and how beautiful I am. My friend who is happily married now loves to remind me of how God sees me. She also encourages me to remain pure and focused on Him. I love God with all my heart. My heart is sacred ground and I wont let anyone tred on that ground anymore unless they are welcomed in by Him. Many of you who know me know how many relationships I've been through in the past. Many of you tried to warn me that they were not of God. Thank God He forgives us of our iniquities. Thank God He rescued me from a life that would probably not have been happy if He had not protected me such as He did. I trust my God with my life... and the life of anyone He allows into my heart. Just this time I want to be sure God gives them the go ahead. I thank God my friend is patient and really wants to please God as well. I thank God that he is waiting for God's go ahead and not just barging in. Awaiting instruction is hard. It's hard for anyone who is waiting for "any" answers from God. If you ever need me to encourage you and pray with you as you wait I will. Maybe you can also pray for me and my friend.

Psalm 145:15
15The eyes of all wait for You [looking, watching, and expecting] and You give them their food in due season.

Bema Savior

Psalms 25:9-10
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Being humble is not easy. As humans we are prone to think of ourselves and put ourselves first. We do not "naturally" think of others or God, although we should be thinking of God all the time. Have you ever been around someone who needed to munch on some humble pie? Maybe even in church? Maybe even you might need a piece of humble pie? I have overtime learned that I can't point out specks in people's eyes when I have a plank in my own. That for me was something that God needed to humble me to point out. I also learned one year in Sunday school that there is something called a Bema Seat where believers will have to go to stand before Christ and give an account of their lives. I learned that I am the "only" one that can stand there in front of Jesus and I also learned I can't stand there for anyone else either. That helped me to let go of the need to "change people" or as my counselor used to call it, "a Messiah complex".

When I was younger about ten, I used to think being a Christian meant telling people they were sinners and they are going to wind up in hell if they don't repent. That was the church I was brought up in. You went out and if you weren't wearing a skirt all the way down to your ankles with long hair you were a sinner. I learned differently as I got older. My parents never went to church with me when I was younger because I made the decision to go to my Aunt's church which was Baptist. My parents were pentecostal they believed in holiness and the gifts of the Spirit, but they loved me even when I went to a different church. I can't say I showed love toward them though. Sometimes I told them they were going to hell because they bought a lottery ticket "one time". I believe I also told them they were going to hell because they weren't using a King James Bible. I was ten but my mind was repeating what I learned from church. WOW was I wrong also! Even when churches ... say you are going to hell because you are doing something different... ultimately it's God's decision and we are living to please Him not others and especially not a church. If your church doesn't expect you to place God first, or if there is anything that contradicts God's word going on in your church such as; homosexual marriage or even just hypocrisy it is not of God. The bible says anything that is "not" of God... is of Satan. The bible also tells us to resist the devil and flee. KNOW YOUR CHURCH! In order to be humble YOU MUST know YOUR WORD! You must be going to a church where the word is being taught the right way. You must stay in God's word everyday and learn how to discern what is right and what is wrong. The Lord will bless those who keep His covenant. He blesses the humble... before His Bema what would He say to you today? I'm going to have to stand there also but I've learned to be responsible for myself.

Some of you after reading this today might be a little offended. I am not saying all churches are bad at all. I know some Baptist churches that follow the word and are not so much into worldly traditions that are unbiblical. I'm just reminding you that we have to be careful where we are fed. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. I learned from my mistakes. The bible says confess your sins one to another. Those were the things I wish I had never done. So be wise and open your eyes. Be humble and be willing to LISTEN TO GOD! Most importantly stay in the word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Further info on the Bema Seat: