You are Saved through Christ

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

I have great news for you today, we are made right with God through the blood of Christ. Even if you have messed up or have backslided recently God still loves you. He’ll always love you. When we repent we can be confident that He will forgive us of our mistake(s) instantly because our sins are paid for already. Jesus paid for all our sins. 

I recently felt like I messed up greatly, and I did. But, I made the mistake out of weakness and lack of understanding. Once I openly, whole heartedly repented and acknowledged my weakenss, the Lord showed me His compassion. 

The Bible states in Hebrews 4:15, “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses, but one who, in every respect, has been tempted as we are.” God is not unempathetic to our struggles and weaknesses. He understands and knows exactly who each of us are. He made you and me. He always loves you so you do not have to be afraid or doubtful of His love. 

Jesus Loves You

 God wants you to know He loves you and is looking out for you. 

Trust God

We all have those times in our lives when we have set back after set back, and, not only that, they come at the worst time. I’d encourage you, though, to take a step back and take a second look. I’m in a big transitionary season in my life so any added pressure is extra stressful. This week, I found out I had a nail in one of my rear tires on my way to work. This was frustrating because I drive between 35-40 miles to and from work every day, and I’m not financially independent yet as I only work part time. I can’t drive with a nail in my tire, that’s just not safe. I worked that evening, so the next day I went to get it repaired. Come to find out 2 of my tires had almost no tread on them; I needed to replace them immediately. Had I not gotten a nail in my tire I would not have found out I needed to replace those tires as soon as I needed to. What I perceived to be a set back was actually a set up to find out a bigger problem before something bad happened. The good Lord also provided 2 new good tires that I could afford. The next time you encounter a set back, take a second look because God looks out for His children 😉 Including you! 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are My ways your ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

God's Priority

 Hello everyone, I believe in this word that the Lord has given to me to share with you all with all my heart. Please hear what the Spirit is saying to you, do not harden your hearts to His voice. Allow me to prophecy over all who read this today. There are a lot of unknowns in life, but God is looking to make your crooked places straight, the uncertain things certain, and the unknown things known. It is written "the steps of man are ordered by the Lord when he delights in his way." Psalm 37:23 (ESV) There is no need to fear because the Lord directs your steps. There is no need to feel uncertain about the future because the Lord knows your future. Like a director of a great symphony He's written your score. Fix your eyes on the director of your life. Hear the peace of His voice, and see the peace in His eyes. There is no fear because He is sovereign. Some of you have been asking for clarity about the future. I have too. I declare here and now that the Lord will guide you into all truth as John 16:13 sais. "Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly." Psalm 85:5 (ESV) Fallow His voice, which is an internal, certain peace. Allow His peace to rule in your hearts. He will answer your prayers and questions. 

Some of you feel it's too late for you to accomplish your dreams or you feel stuck. What ever your situation may be let me encourage you today: with God, it's NEVER to late. In band, when you are performing a piece of music with the band if you make a mistake you can't stop. You have to brush it off, take a breath, and jump back in with the group. God's saying to you today, jump back in! Don't give up, shake it off, take a breath, and keep going. Mistakes happen, everyone makes them. Our mistakes don't matter, what matters is what we do after. The good news is we have a director who cares. He will take you over the same phrase until we get it right. You can never fail as long as you don't give up. You are His priority.  

Jesus is Coming Soon

 Jesus is Coming Soon!

Jesus has revealed to me something very important: He is coming soon! He is coming to bring peace and unite His church with Him. We will be united with God. He loves us;

Jesus is coming soon to get His bride. We are not to fear; stay strong. The Marriage of the Lamb and the new Jerusalem will come sooner than we think. 

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

This is an invitation to us. He wants me to tell you that He loves you!! He’ll be here soon! 

I cannot put into words everything He’s told me. I have had visions of being united with Christ. I’ve also heard from the Lord through reading the Word, specifically chapters in Ezekiel (36-37) and Revelation. Listen to His voice today. 

Happy New Year 2021

 1 Corinthians 12:9, ESV translation, says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Now that 2021 has come around, I encourage you to live this year and subsequent years in the rest of God. 2020 has been different, but everything happens for a reason. 

Start the new year off right; spend time with the Lord. Keep God first place and He’ll take care of all your needs. 2021 is not only a new year, it’s a time for a new season, new blessings, new movement, new opportunities to learn and grow. 

God loves you and has a great plan for your life! Being a new year, let go of the past. Forgive others, and forgive yourself. Look ahead to the new road before you. Life is a journey; let God direct your steps. 

Verse of the Day 

“Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) 

Seed

 One seed is all that's needed to make the biggest impact. I think about how the Holy Spirit moves in our lives. For instance, when you read the word of God, a seed of light is planted in your spirit. Then, over time, the seed is nurtured until what's on the inside shows on the outside. Fruit is produced. 

With Christmas coming up, I think about how Jesus' act of love on the cross changed the world, and it's continuing to change the world. Think about how his disciples spread word of the gospel around the world. What happened in one city, out of thousands, effected the entire globe. From 12 disciples to many many more today. 

A seed matters. What He did was no small matter. What I mean is as fallows: What's the biggest thing Jesus showed us? His love. Through his love, he taught us to love others. How? When you love someone, a seed is planted in their heart to love others. What is in a persons heart flows out to others, just like a seed grows out of the ground. And the cycle continues. 

This Christmas, plant a seed in someone else life by giving them a gift, being kind to others, smiling with your voice, letting someone who has less items than you check out first at the grocery store, donating, surprising someone with a free pizza for lunch, send a Bible verse to a friend or family member, cleaning the house to surprise your parents/kids/spouse/roommate, or simply saying "I love you." All these things are examples of seeds of love. It may just be one seed of kindness, but God can do so much with that one act of love. 

God loves you! He shows it every day! This year was a hard one, no doubt. But, through it all, God is with us. Thank Him for his love! Praise Him for his goodness! Him whose mercy and grace is beyond our understanding. 

Verse of the Day:

"...just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34 (ESV)

Letter of Encouragement

 Hello! 

I apologize for being so late in creating a new post. I have had a lot going on and some major catching up to do at school. Further more, finals are coming up. A heads up: it might be a couple more weeks before I create a new post. After this month, I'll be more consistent in my posts. 

I wanted to take some time to send some encouragement to everyone reading. I know life can be uncertain at times, but God is in control! Release all your anxieties and cast your cares on Him! He loves you, and will always be with you. 

God bless you all! "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Mathew 7:7 (KJV)

Don't forget to take the time to thank God for all your blessings, those seen and unseen. Tomorrow is thanksgiving! Even though this year may not have gone the way we expected, we still have a lot to be thankful for. 

Thanks for reading :-) Check the box next to the word agree if you are in agreement with me: God is good, beyond our comprehension! I'd like to hear what you think: if you'd like to, comment below on something you're thankful for. 

To comment, click on the word comment below. 

New Content Coming Soon

 Hello! 

I have new content on the way, until then feel free to visit some older posts. There's a variety to choose from below. 

Leave a comment on any of the posts:-) 

(please keep all comments respectful and appropriate)

Keep praying and reading God's word. He's listening, and cares for you :-)

Keep Moving Forward

There are times when it's hard to keep going. You may be thinking, 'how much more can I endure?' or maybe, 'I've reached my limit.' If you've thought of giving up, this is the post for you! So, put your school books, paper work, and pencils and computer mouse down for just a few minutes. Allow yourself to recharge and be encouraged! Pick up your Bible and turn to Psalm 27, please.

Have you read it yet? 

Psalm 27 is a great reminder that God is our fortress and strength. Listen to the Holy Spirit. What's he saying to you? Can you feel His encouragement?

After reading Psalm 27, go back to the first few verses, or any verses that the Holy Spirit highlighted to you, and meditate on them. 

Psalm 27:1-3, "The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...^3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me; yet I will be confident." (ESV) I love those verses.  

I wanted to give up... Semesters of struggling, semesters of discouraging grades, and events. That day I had made a mistake, hurt someone I loved, and I felt awful about all of it. I struggled in my college courses, and when I compared my performance to my performance in high school. I was very discouraged. Not only had I let down someone I loved, but I felt I had let God down. I felt like a failure, and questioned my ability to function as an adult. 

I told God about what I was feeling and He was right there to help me. (Just as He is for you) He told me, through an impression, that He was there for me and ready to pick me up. He told me He believed in me, and to not give up. The Lord encouraged me and picked me back up.  

God is there for you! He's waiting for you to reach out and ask for help. The moment you do, He is there to pick you up and set you back on your feet! You may feel like you have no encouragement, or that no one believes in you. Keep moving forward because God believes in you! God sees the end from the beginning, and He knows everything about you and everything you have done and will do. I believe in you, my friend. When you have no encouragement, ask God for encouragement. It's never too late!  

So keep going! Move forward! Remember, change is a process. It’s like growing tomatoes. First, a seed is planted and nurtured. Then, slowly, you begin to see a sprout. After some more time you see the stem. Then, after more nurturing and waiting, more stems and leaves begin to grow. Finally, after continuous nurturing and patience, tomatoes begin to grow off the vine(s). Now, you must wait for the tomato to ripen. In the same way, a seed is sown (spiritually) in us that God is nurturing and growing. Like the tomato plant, what’s on the inside, will begin to show in its proper time. Be patient with yourself. 

God is Good, Beyond our Comprehension

I have a confession, I am a major procrastinator when it comes to my school work. I mean, awful. I do not want to be, and it's useless for me to try to figure out why and make excuses for myself. I know it’s wrong; with the help of the Lord, I am working to stop procrastinating. One time, I dug a deep hole for myself; I did not know what to do.

I had quieted my mind for a nap when the Lord gently spoke to my heart. "Why don't you ask me to help you?" He said. At first, I questioned in my mind thinking, "why would you help me, I dug this hole myself... I keep making the same mistake, repeatedly." His answer was, "Grace; I love you." His words were filled with peace and love. There was no disappointment or anger nor condemnation. He knew I'd make this mistake, and all mistakes I will ever make. 

God loves you. You might feel hopeless, like you've made too many mistakes. But, let me tell you you're wrong. Jesus is looking to show his mercy in your life. When we are weak, he is strong. Let him be your strength. He already knows all the mistakes you would ever make. He's looking for us to turn toward him, acknowledge we need him, and accept his help, mercy, and grace. 

God’s grace and mercy is beyond our imagination. God sees our heart, and he sees what we can become. He believes in us! Therefore, we need to believe in ourselves! There is no one like our God! He is so good!! And he’s with us every step we take! 

Verse of the Day:

"Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Luke 7:41-42 (ESV)

New Season, New Blessings

 Isaiah 43:19, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (KJV)

God is doing a new thing in this next season! Be on the look out; be expectant of the new thing God is doing. He loves you, and there are blessings coming your way! Romans 12:12, "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing in prayer." (KJV) 

Where ever your life has you, keep moving forward. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Let him guide and lead you. He is our provider; never lose hope. Remember how good God is and how much he loves you. 

There is a new season coming. Wait, with expectancy, and see the new thing God is doing in your life. 

Wait on the Lord

There's nothing more frustrating than having to wait. Waiting has it's purpose, though; as explained in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything. Each season has its purpose, so don't be discouraged. God is always working. 

One time, I asked the Lord if I and someone I knew would have a better relationship. Sometimes, I felt bullied by this person and I wanted to make things work for the sake of someone I loved. I knew the Lord called me to forgive this person; I needed to make amends. I waited years for this prayer to be answered. When it was time, they apologized to me, and, to this day, we have a much better relationship than we used to. This took time and work; in my time of waiting I had to keep my eyes open and wait expectantly. (Don't give up on people; others can tell just by how you act around them. It doesn't do any good, and it doesn't help them. It helps them when they know someone believes in them.)

Similarly, I am in a season of waiting right now. I have a dream to change lives: I want to publish a book, go on mission trips, and more. Right now, though, I am in school and I'm a blogger. My first year of college was an exhausting one. I was tired of school; I wanted to start living my dreams right then, instantly. But, I had to wait for God's timing, push through and continue school. While I am waiting, I am doing what I can do: staying in faith, growing spiritually, studying the Bible, praying, blogging, going to school, and constantly working to improve myself. God has used this time of waiting to grow me. I have grown a lot over this last year; it was growth that I needed.

It's so important to stay in faith! Do not doubt; just because your dreams are taking longer than you think they should does NOT mean God has forgotten. Trust in God's timing. It can be hard, I've been there, but don't give up. Wait and trust in the Lord. What's one thing you're waiting for? I encourage you to change your perspective. Instead of being frustrated, see it as a time to grow, draw close to God, and listen. 

Verse of the Day:

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV), "but they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Jesus Supports You

 In Romans 11, Jesus uses the metaphor of an olive tree to describe his relationship with us. This isn’t the first time Jesus spoke of being the root or vine. Trees get their water and nutrition from the roots. Similarly, we get our spiritual bread and living water from Jesus. Our reliance is on him; he is our source. 

Remember, when you feel like no one supports you, Jesus supports you. Last couple weeks, I’ve made some mistakes that left me feeling really down on myself. On top of it I felt like I was supporting myself, but that was far from true. I had to connect to my source, Jesus. 

When believers know who they are in Christ and that he is our source, we are unshakable. This is what it means to abide in Christ: stand firm in him. Did you know that every time we read the word spiritual water comes to us? In this we are renewed, strengthened, and comforted.

Our mistakes do not define us, rather our identity in Christ does. It matters how we respond to our mistakes. How do you respond when you make a mistake? Do you make an effort to ensure we don’t repeat the mistake? Are you spiritually active and consulting God? 

He is supporting you! Lean on him! Like a father supports his child, Jesus supports us. He loves you!  

Hanging out with Jesus is fun! Spend time with him, today, tomorrow and the next day! 

Verse of the Day:

Romans 11:16-18

Act in Faith

I am not always good at communication and some things that fall under the ‘common sense’ category. But, I love Jesus and I’m constantly seeking him. I find the more I rely on the Holy Spirit, the better I am at day to day things. The Holy Spirit is here to be with us, comfort us, council us, and guide us. I do not dare to start my day without first saying, "Lord, help me." Sometimes, I can feel his guidance, and other times that 'feeling' is not there. When that happens I have to remember to act in faith, for his promises will always stand. 

This past season, I have been growing in listening to the Holy Spirit, as well as walking in faith. There are times when you get that ‘feeling’ when the Holy Spirit is guiding you; then, there are other times when you don’t get that ‘feeling’. Key word here: feeling. As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in faith, not by sight or feelings. This means that even when we don’t get that ‘feeling’ we know the Lord is with us, always. 

Walking in faith means doing what you know to do, especially in the times when you feel no one is looking. Back to my example, yesterday the Lord spoke to my heart about something very important: he will never leave and he will never give up on his children! I know it’s frustrating when your prayers seem unanswered. You want to improve; you want to change, yet it ‘feels’ like you’ve been left. Let me reassure you, you are NOT left! Please, do NOT entertain doubt. 

When doubt comes in, replace it with the word of God. This past week, I have been re-reading his promises. I have not only read them, but I am meditating on them. All the verses I have read, I wrote on flash cards. Throughout the day, I will read the flash cards to continue to meditate on his promises. Pray today that the Lord speak to your heart and let him lead you to scripture. Be open and honest with him, he’s looking for us to continually seek him. (Did you know that continuing to pray and seek God is an act of faith.?) Repent for any doubt, then let his word encourage you. 

Write the verses you read on flash cards. Take those flash cards with you to work, the store, and everywhere you go. Below are some books and chapters the Lord has lead me to; I will not put a verse on this post because I want you to do your own study. (Spending time with God is super fun! Especially when the Spirit leads you to read a certain verse then that verse gets confirmed the fallowing week, it's amazing! His word brings healing to your soul!)

Chapters to Study:

Isaiah 54, Isaiah 51, Psalm 37, Psalm 34, Psalm 27, Psalm 23

Personal Letter to All: 

To those to fear abandonment: I understand how you feel, I battle the same fear. But, when it comes to God I do not fear. Neither should you. Trust me when I say, God will never abandon you. Talk to the Lord, give your fear to him; he understands. Let him reassure you. I pray this post blesses those who read it, and you gain strength and encouragement from the word of God. I pray that the Lord reassure you that he will never leave you nor will he give up on you. 

Trust God

In my post: Jesus is the Answer, I spoke about constantly arguing with my peers and trying to control situations. I also spoke about being a new creation in Christ. One of the ways we are changed is that we, as believers, are given the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our guide and comforter. 

For me, when I start to want to argue or control situations, I have lost sight of who's really in charge. God is our provider and he is sovereign; our trust should be in him. Trying to control shows mistrust; God isn't asking us to trust people, but instead to trust Him. 

This is especially true when God is asking you to do something that you don't want to. I remember a little bit ago, when I had lost trust in someone. I was having a hard time forgiving them. I was thinking, I don't know if I can trust this person again. I felt an impression that said, "I'm not asking you to trust them, I am asking you to trust me." Remembering that, I forgave them.

Our trust is in God, who is our provider and vindicator. We need to lean on Him and fallow the Holy Spirit. When we do, we grow closer to Him. I challenge you to trust God, and do what you know he's asked you to. You know, the forgiveness or dream you've been putting off because of fear. Fallow the Holy Spirit. Then, watch and see what the Lord does. You’ll be amazed! 

Verses of the Week:

Isaiah 54:4 (ESV), "Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will not remember."

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV), "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  

Chapters of Study:

Isaiah 54, Isaiah 51, Isaiah 41

New Content Coming Soon

 

Hello! 

I have new content on the way, until then feel free to visit some older posts. There's a variety to choose from below: 

Don't Give Up, Talents, God is With You, The Lord's Grace and Love: Fighting Temptation, Jesus Loves You and is Always with You, etc. (listed by most recent)

Leave a comment on any of the posts:-) 

(please keep all comments respectful and appropriate)

Keep praying and reading God's word. He's listening, and cares for you :-)

Don't Give Up

Ever feel like you take one step forward then two steps back? I have before... but, you're doing better than you think. Feelings are not always accurate. We all make mistakes, so don't beat yourself up and don't give up. The trouble comes when you start to give up. If you feel your starting to give up on something in life, as yourself: 'would I regret this decision later in life?' 

I went through a season where I was tempted to give up. Seemed like I couldn't make a right decision on the simplest of day to day things. Took one step forward and two steps back, or so I thought. I learned that my feelings were not a completely accurate representation. Prayer is the best thing to do during these times because Jesus cares about you and will help you what ever problem your facing. 

Your heart matters a lot more than your mistakes. We are not defined by our mistakes in life. What matters more is that your heart is turned toward God and you're seeking the Lord. Don't give up, keep walking and praying. Jesus will help you; the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom.

Verse of the Day:

Mathew 7:7 (NKJV), "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you." 

Chapters of Study:

Mathew 6:19-34; Mathew 7:7-14

Talents

We are all given talents/gifts to invest in and use for good. As shown in the Parable of the Talents in Mathew 25, our gifts are supposed to be used. Procrastination is a bad habit of mine. I know what I am supposed to do, yet for a variety of excuses my 'favorite' phrase to think is "maybe later". Laziness is not a good thing; being lazy is a decision just as choosing to not make a decision is still a choice. 

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells of 3 servants who were each entrusted a certain amount of talents. Two of the three invested their money and came out with double. In the same way we are entrusted with gifts and expected to invest them in our lives. Mathew 7:20 (KJV), "wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." What we do, how we use our gifts, how we conduct ourselves is seen by others; we are meant to represent Christ in our lives.

The last servant, in Mathew 25, buried his talent out of fear. That fear was a hinderance and prevented him from investing. Fear can be a cause of procrastination; fear is can be a bad thing as it can prevent use from seeing what God has in store for our future. It is written in Jeremiah 29:11 that his plans are good and for our good.

Procrastination does not just effect our lives, but the lives of those closest to us. I procrastinate with a lot of things such as school, chores, and my other responsibilities and promises. My choice to put off responsibilities because they required me to deal with other things that made me uncomfortable was a selfish decision that effected other people. 

Mathew 25 teaches us that our gifts are meant to be used. We are not meant to be sitting idle. Even with Covid-19, we can still take actions to positively impact other people. I challenge you to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, and do what ever you have been putting off.

Verse of the day:

Mathew 6:21(ESV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Chapter of Study:

Mathew 25

   

God is With You

This is a message that has been burning within me. I read Haggai chapter 1-2 and felt the Holy Spirit say something very important, "I am with you." Haggai 2:4-5 (ESV), "Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit remains in your midst. Fear not." Compromise with the world is dangerous; pleasing God should be most important in our lives. When we know God is with us, especially in the hard times, we can be courageous enough to do the right thing even when it's hard. 

These last few weeks have been hard for me. I was faced with a choice, to live in willful ignorance or face my weaknesses. When faced with choices between ignorance and knowledge, choose knowledge. Even though it was painful in accepting my weaknesses, I know the Lord was with me which gave me strength. Draw strength and courage in knowing God is with you through it all. In the good places and the bad. The times of success and times of failure. He is the good Father; he will not leave you no matter what. He knows our weakness and every mistake we have and will ever make; he loves us and accepts all of who we are. He knows all our struggles; we can trust him to help us.

It is more important now more than before that we stick to the truth of God's word. I went through a season where I constantly fought negative thoughts against myself; I had to hold fast to the Lord's promises. God's word is a weapon against the enemy's lies. Professing and meditating on God's word is essential in this time period. The more we draw closer to God, the more we will walk in love.

Profess and share the good news of the gospel; walk in love. "What ever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV). Stepping out in faith can be scary, but knowing God is with you enables you to push through the fear. Don't run from the pain or fear or trouble, what ever you are facing. God is with you; he will not leave you. Push through, and trust in the Lord's provision.

Verse of the Day:

“I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”

- Isaiah 49:15-16 (NKJV)