Standing Firm

I’m struggling today.

I can’t focus. I can’t write. I want so badly to write something. But my mind wanders every 5 seconds and I can’t get a single meaningful word out.

I hate this. I hate being bipolar. I hate having ADD. I hate that I have fibromyalgia. I hate that I can’t do things because my body just won’t allow me.

Satan is really working his magic today, it seems. He knows my weaknesses and is using them against me big time.

And I think I’m allowing him.

I must stop letting him win.

Satan has his ways of sneaking into our every day lives. Before we know it, he has taken our weaknesses, thrown them in our face and laughs at us as we struggle to break free.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5:8-9

As long as we live on this earth we are going to struggle. We are going to face trials of many kinds. It says so in the God’s Word.

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy?? Is James saying we must be happy about going through trials and tribulations? Not at all. When we face these hardships, it’s how we respond to them that makes the difference. While it’s true that we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control how we think about them. As 1 Peter 5:9 states, we must “stand firm” in the faith. When we face trials we must respond to them with a determination that things will get better, that we will get through it. God has promised us this.

 

 

 

Thought For The Day

One of my favorite verses is found in John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

This world can be a scary place.

Terrorist attacks.

Shootings.

Terminal illnesses.

The list can go on and on.

But we can find rest in Jesus. We can find peace in Him. He tells us that we will have troubles in life but we are to look to Him and remember that He has overcome the world! One day He is coming back for us and we will be with Him for eternity!

He promises never to leave or forsake us. In Deuteronomy 31:6, it says:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you

He will be with us wherever we go!

 

 

 

 

 

Do Not Lose Heart

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[b] Since we have that same spirit of^[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak,¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

This passage of Scripture was part of my devotions this morning. It’s a great reminder that one day we will have new bodies. One day all of our  pain and suffering will be non existent

I particularly like the last two verses: ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It is so easy to focus on our problems in life, to dwell on past mistakes and to beat ourselves up over things. But God’s Word tells us to stop doing that and to focus on what is truly important. To focus on what we can’t see. Because one day all of our troubles will be gone. All of our grief will pass away and we will be with the Lord forever and ever.

I’m reminded of the song by Jeremy Camp called “There Will Be a Day” The lyrics are powerful and true.  Check out the lyric video below.

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place,
Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

 

 

What Does Writing Mean To You?

When I was in the 4th grade, we were given an assignment. That assignment was to write about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I liked to write and therefore I wanted to be a writer!

However, as the years went by I stopped writing. It no longer held the same excitement for me anymore. I grew tired of it for some reason.

In my junior and senior years, I got back into it and started writing tons of poetry. Page after page of poetry. In my senior year of high school, I fell into a deep depression and when I wrote, it was dark. Page after page of hate filled rants. I wasn’t a Christian at the time so my writing was very depressing.

I still suffer from depression, even as a Christian, but with God on my side, my writing has taken a turn for the better! My writing is light and full of, mostly, positive things. And even now, as the words struggle to come out, I know God is with me.

Writing can be very therapeutic if you let it. Just sit down and let the words flow. Sometimes it will be hard. Sometimes the words just won’t flow. But I’ve learned to give it to God.

Right now the words aren’t flowing for me, lol. I keep getting distracted and my mind is drawing a blank on what to write about.

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I’m currently in South Carolina visiting my sister and her family for the week. My sister recently received a job promotion and is now living in South Carolina and working in North Carolina.

I may not be on here nearly as much while I’m down here but I will try to check in as much as I can.

 

 

 

 

He Knows My Name

***I originally posted just the song lyrics in February of this year but wanted to add more to it after doing my devotions this morning.***

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages. It reminds us that God knows us. He knows us more than we know ourselves! He knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them!

God knows us thoroughly as we go about our everyday chores, at different locations and situations, no matter our condition. He does not abandon us or forget us; nor is He so busy that he neglects us. Even when we are in trouble or difficult circumstances, we are not hidden from His presence.

Lawrence Darmani

We can’t hide from the Lord! He is everywhere! Like it says in verses 7-12, there is nowhere we can go that the Lord will not be there.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

I’ve always loved this song but I’d never seen the video for it until today (2/15/18) . I strongly encourage you to watch it. It’s about 12 minutes long but it’s totally worth it.

Francesca Battistelli-video

Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact, I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that’s just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I’m not meant to just stay quiet
I’m meant to be a lion
I’ll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I’ve got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name
He knows my name oh, oh
He knows my name

Your Body is a Temple (Scripture on How We Should Treat our Bodies)

How are we to treat our bodies?

Instead of sharing my thoughts on the subject (another blog for another time) I thought I’d just share some Scripture I found on how we are to take care of our bodies!

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Therefore I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2)

 

Inner Beauty

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I’ve always struggled with my looks. I’ve never thought of myself as pretty. My self esteem has always been low. My confidence has always been almost non-existent. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember.

I’ve gained some weight too. Apparently, fibromyalgia causes weight gain and the medicine I’m on FOR the fibro causes weight gain. Super. I’m determined to get the weight off but it’s a struggle.

And now that I’m struggling with dental problems, things have just gotten worse. I’m 35 years old and need dentures but can’t afford them. I have no dental insurance. I hate to smile these days because I am so embarrassed by how my teeth look.

But just this morning in my devotions, I was reminded that God doesn’t look at outward appearances like man does. In 1 Samuel 16:7, it says

….The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.

It’s our inner beauty that counts. It’s what our heart looks like that really matters. God doesn’t look at our outward flaws.

He cares about what is on the inside.

How is your heart “appearance?”

Do you struggle with inner beauty?

 

Live Like That

“Live Like That” Sidewalk Prophets

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

This song has such a great message. I encourage you to check it out if you haven’t heard it.

I always wonder if I’m living for Jesus the way I should be. The line in the song, “Was my worship more than just a song” really gets to me because sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the emotions that we forget about what really matters.

Am I doing what Jesus has called me to do? Am I living a life pleasing to Him? Does my heart break for what breaks His?

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on us. We fail. Hardships arise. Do people still Jesus in us when these things happen?

I hope people see Jesus in me wherever I go, in whatever I do.

We should always be ready to give an answer to the hope that is in us. 🙂 I know I mentioned this verse just the other day but it’s important!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

I Peter 3:15

 

 

 

Happy Independence Day!

I hope you all have a great day and let’s not forget the reason for today: Our freedom! Let’s remember those who are currently serving to protect that freedom and those who died protecting that same freedom!

Always Be Prepared

In Our Daily Bread’s devotional reading for today the subject was on how we must demonstrate our faith. We must be ready to give an answer for why we behave differently than the world.

When suffering and hardships come our way, how do we respond? Do we respond with a Christlike attitude? Or do we fall apart?

When people ask us why we are “different” we must be ready to give them an answer and we must do it respectfully and gently.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. Keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:15-18

People must be able to see a difference in how we act when hardships arise in our life. If not, if we fall apart, how will they see Jesus? If they see us act one way in church and then a completely different way when bad things happen, our testimony is ruined.

I love Jesus with all my heart. I strive daily to please Him in all I say and do. I mess up, yes I’m human, but thankfully I have a God who is a God of second and third chances….and fourth and fifth chances, etc.  He is always willing to forgive and loves me and you so much.

Like I’ve said before, He longs to have a relationship with you. Won’t you come to Him?