Just some thoughts I need to get down.

Today I was reading in Psalm. I read chapters 15 through 31 I believe. I just literally couldn't get enough of David's faith and transparency with God. A lot of it talked about how God gave David the strength to pursue and defeat his enemies. Chapter 18, verse 32 days "it is God who arms me with strength and makes my way PERFECT". He laid out a perfect path before David and he trusted God so much that he just followed it entirely. How many times have we seen a path that God laid out for us, and we have been so quick to go our own way? How quick our we to trust our Father?

We have all heard the beginning of Psalm 23 "The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want." How many of us know the rest of this passage? I honestly can't say I knew anymore. When I first saw the first verse, I said to myself "why is God having me read something I've heard a thousand times?!" Then I continue reading verse 2: "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." Then verse 3 is when it hits: "He restores my soul." 

It's so simple. But yet it encompasses so much. How often do we hold on to things that get in our way? Let's say, you wake up late because your alarm didn't go off.  You don't have time to take that shower you were saving for the morning, instead of taking it at night when you had some spare time. You spilt coffee on your shirt, but didn't have time to change it, you get to your car that is frosted over, and instead of having the time to let it warm up and defrost itself, you do a quick job on scraping the windows so you aren't late to work. You get in the car, and peel out of your drive way, just to realize you're low on gas... So now you have to make the decision to either stop and get gas and be late to work, or chance it and hope you have enough to make it to work? 

I think we can all say we have been there! But do we let that lead our attitude the entire day? Do we have less patience with co-workers or family, simply because our morning didn't go smoothly? How quick are we to turn to God and ask Him to restore our soul? 

What about for things we have been holding on to for years, or decades? Most commonly, women are accused of having "daddy issues". God can restore your soul. Alcoholic family member that can't seem to let it go, and you can't seem to let them go? God can restore your soul. Give you peace. Been hurt too many times by people you trusted, and now you can't let anyone close? God can restore your soul. There is no situation God can't handle. 

God, I just want to take a moment, and lift up those who are going through junk and they may feel like there's no light at the end of the tunnel. I pray that You give them guidance and peace about any decisions You may be laying on their hearts. I pray that they take the time to sit and quiet their souls, and take refuge in You so that You may restore their soul.  I pray You steady their heart and show them the path that You have laid out before them, that when they grow weary, that they have an unshakeable faith in You our Savior. And that they get their strength from You and You alone. In your precious name we pray, Amen. 

I don't understand..

I was recently talking with a friend about God.

He said he has a relationship with God, and reads the bible and prays.

But upon further discussion, he asked me if I believed in the new testament...

This is the first time I have ever been asked that, and to be honest,

it baffled me..

 

Do I believe in the new testament?

Of course I do, I believe God gave us the word and it is a living word.

Curious, I asked further, why he didn't believe in the new testament?

His answer? Because Joseph loved Mary, and back in that day having a child out

of wedlock, led to women getting stoned to death.

So.. you're telling me you don't believe in the miracle that is Jesus?

WHAT?

 

I mean I know people have other beliefs, but if you love God,

how can you just pick and choose what you believe is real and fake from the bible?

Also, apparently God created men to spread their seed, meaning multiple wives are okay.

Need I repeat, WHAT?

 

I believe God gave us the bible, as a living word.

It is consistent, and never changing.. it is constant.

I believe the old testament helps us understand the world before

we had God's grace and mercy. Teaches us many lessons,

and helps us appreciate what we have today. All the freedom, love and grace.

The new testament helps us understand and connect with God. And prepares us for the future.

 

I believe God uses the bible to speak to us all differently,

And different lessons, and everything else.

 

But I also know I am young, and still have a lot of growing and understanding

to come in to. God is constantly working on my heart and educating me.

 

Sometimes, some things I say an be misleading, conveyed wrongly, or just down right incorrect.

But I am still growing in my faith. He will teach me the errors of my ways.

And ultimately, God will be judging us all on our ways, our beliefs, and how we live our lives.

 

Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

-1 Corinthians 13:13

 

I remind myself of this verse often, because even though I may not understand

someone else's beliefs, or agree with them..

I don't know their whole story.. God does. He has been there every moment.

God just calls me to love them as they are.

And encourage them.

And that's all I can do.

 

God is always good.

Always faithful.

Always loving.

 

For that, I am grateful.

Meditate

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8, 9

I absolutely love the beginning of this. To me, this is a reminder to keep the word to keep YOURSELF in meditation and that just because you believe in the word doesn't mean to aggressively shove your beliefs or the word down other peoples throats. Yeah you should go out and spread the word. But to those who want no part in it, to keep pushing and pushing, could make their hearts harder and harder towards Christians and towards God.
And being couraged and reminded that God is with us where ever we go. I often forget this. Or take it for granted. And find myself sad, isolated and feeling alone in general. It wasn't until just recently that my husband pointed out that God has put me in this season for a reason. And instead of being upset about it, I need to take advantage of it. I think sometimes once we have accepted Christ into our hearts we forget that it's not just an easy walk in the park. That building a relationship with Him and growing in faith takes hard work. I have always been a bit of a social butterfly and this is the most difficult thing that I have encounter. I have not experienced a discipline such as this requires. Meditation in the word daily and continuous prayer?! The only thing I've ever had to do daily was work or school and you even get 2 days break from that. Jesus doesn't ask for perfection. He asks for an effort and a renewal of your mind. And as you do this, these daily "tasks" become daily desires that stir your heart in the middle of the night. Let's encourage one another and hold each other accountable.

Traveling.

I never realized how different cities were. I am currently in Sacramento, California. I am spending 15 days down here. Longest trip I have ever been on. I am from a small town in Washington called Smokey Point.

Everyone knows everyone and we all generally try to be nice to each other. However, California is very different. Everyone is in a hurry to go somewhere and everyone is all about themselves. For example, the other night Justin and I were driving, and dancing in the car and just having fun, and some dude threw gang signs up at us and started following us. But luckily to my awesome driving skills, we lost him.

Then a few days before that, we went to a Starbucks. And we had to walk in so I had a very nice conversation with one of the barista's there. She ended up giving me a discount on my drink. I honestly think it was just because I was nice to her, something that was so unfamiliar to her.

What has this world come to if we are overjoyed when one person is nice to us, and rude people are just a thing of the norm?? Again, I started thinking where is God's love? Stuck in the 4 walls of the church? Stuck in our small groups, or just our friends and family?

We need to learn to step out and spread love to everyone. What good is it if people who are already in a relationship with God and are actively seeking him, they already have had a glimpse of God's love. Think about how radically you could impact someone's day just by showing them God's love. Think about it. Off to Yuba City we go. Signing off for now. :)  

Learn to Love Your Life

As in Francesca Battiselli sings, "It's your life, whatcha gonna do, the world is watching you. Every day, the choices you make, say who you are and what your heart beats for, its an open door"

If you don't like the way your life is, you need to figure out how you can be happy with YOURSELF, because happiness isn't measured in items/possessions. At the end of the day, that is all just STUFF.

I can honestly say, if I got rid of absolutely everything, except for a few changes of clothes, and my phone, I would still be as happy as I am, if not happier. I have the best family, friends and boyfriend any woman could ever ask for.

I love being secure in my relationship with God, and with Justin. I see so many girls my age just hurting, and settling and being screwed over by every guy they attempt to be with. It breaks my heart to see people I care about hurting. But at the same time, I feel like if you are having issues in your relationships a few weeks into dating, that's an issue. If you can't be yourself after being together for a while, that's an issue. And maybe you should take a look at yourself and the person you're with. it may either be the wrong kind of guy, or you might need to find confidence and security in yourself.

I am not just saying this because I think I am better for you, or to call anyone out.. I am saying this, because I have been that girl.. the girl who rested happiness, security, and everything I had on others, and on materialistic things. The girl to try EVERYTHING to make it work with the douchebag guy who was never any good for me in the first place. It may seem like a hard habit to break, but douchebags are a dime in a dozen. Set standards. Know what you WANT and what you NEED.. and NEVER SETTLE FOR GOOD ENOUGH.. because good enough then, always leads to disappointment in the end. Try being best friends with someone first, you would be absolutely surprised how much better those relationships actually turn out to be most of the time. And never forget that God should be a first priority.

Revelations

I have realized that my heart has become more heavy for the world and people of this world. So much that it has taken a hold of my heart, and makes me feel like crying at times. Other times, I find myself hardening my heart.. which is not good. Luckily I know a God that reminds me to love all people, at all times, no matter what.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:12-15

Yesterday, I saw a young man get hit by a hummer while crossing a busy intersection. I had no idea what happened, I was just in shock. Then I remembered, I have a God who knows all and can do the impossible. So as I continued my journey to Seattle, I prayed the ENTIRE ride for this man. I wake up today to find out that it is someone I actually know. He is currently at Harborview, and going through some surgeries. But, it could have been SOOO much worse. So for that, we can be thankful.

Also, I have issues lately holding my tongue and losing patience with people. I read a bible verse tonight that definitely reminded me that I need to watch myself.

"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." Colossians 3:8-10

I recently told off a good friend,in which she got mad and told me off. We both said really hurtful things, that it is too late to take back. God calls me to love people in all circumstances, and that is something I slip out of my mind. Another thing I have a hard time doing, is apologizing. God is working on me with that too.. I have yet to speak to this friend, but it looks like I know what I have to do...

God's Movement

So I gotta say, it is INCREDIBLE having a significant other who is SO encouraging in Jesus.

I have been SUPER stressed out with finances since my hours have been cut at work and such, and I had pretty much come to my breaking point, where I almost had a break down. Then my wonderful boyfriend sent me this message on Facebook. "hey baby i know your going through a rough time with your finances but tonight's journal is just what you need. Romans 5: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith to his grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and persevereance,character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy spirit who was given to us."

He could have easily said "Make sure you read it" and left it up to me. He took the time out to encourage me and just simply remind me to trust in God. And when I took a step back, and gave it to God, I was blessed with a larger than expected paycheck, and so I was able to make some payments on some stuff so I would stop being hassled. Also, God has blessed me with more hours at work as well. I believe I have 14 hours this week alone, which is usually a whole 2 week paycheck for me.

It just goes to show, that when you live by faith, God will bless your life.

I believe God is preparing our hearts for a radical movement. I see young people walking the walk and talking the talk. Fully seeking Jesus, FOR THEMSELVES. They do not wait around for some guy on a stage to TELL them what the bible says. God is speaking to the hearts of those who trust Him and seek Him.

He is ALWAYS faithful and He is ALWAYS good. :)