Trust Him.

When I'm going through hard times, all I need to do is trust God. Not just halfway either. 100% of my trust needs to go to him, so that he can do his will in the situation. The verse I really like that goes with this is Proverbs 3:5-6. It says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your path." 

Leaning has to sense of putting your whole weight on something, resting on or trusting in that person or thing. With this verse, they're talking about fully trusting God. When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel like we can't trust anyone - not even God. I'd have to say that I am guilty of that. But god knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than even we are. We must trust him completely in every choice we make. In order to trust him, bring your decisions to God in prayer. He will make our paths straight by both guiding and protecting us. Trust him. 

Another great verse about trusting God is Psalm 62:8. It says, "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Trusting God to be our rock, salvation, and fortress will change our entire outlook on life. Trusting him will be the best decision you will ever make. God should be the picture of our trust. By entrusting ourselves to his protection and pledging our daily devotion to him, we will be kept safe. Trust him. 

Jesus' words show that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secured - as secure as your trust in Jesus. He has already prepared the way to eternal life. The only issue that may still be unsettled is your willingness to believe. Trust him. 

Dear God, Help me to put my 100% trust in you. I know you're the one who does good things for me. I trust you God. Make my life yours. 

Rescue Me.

"I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue...." Lyrics to a song that keeps running through my head. A song that I sing all the time. It has become my daily prayer. Psalm 31:2 says, "Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me." This makes me wonder.... Do I completely to do that for me?! In order for him to save me/rescue me from my darkness, I need to completely trust him. In my eyes, it's easier said than done. It's like, I want to fully trust in him, but there's something holding me back. I wanna just go for it. I keep stopping myself though. I need to push through the fears and just give it all to God.

Another great Bible verse that I sometimes pray is Psalm 69:14. It says, "Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters." I know now, after reading this verse, that I need to keep praying through these dark times that I am facing a lot lately. When I am completely beaten down, I'm tempted to turn from God. (Even though I know he won't turn from me.) When my situation seems hopeless, I determine that no matter how bad things become, I will pray. God will hear my prayer, and he will rescue me, in his own time, of course. When others reject us, we need God most. Don't turn from your most faithful friend.

Dear God, Come to my rescue. Save me from this dark place that I've been in for a while now. Please, God, I pray that you will be my light in this tunnel. I need you Jesus. All my hope is in you. Even though it's hard, I will keep my faith. Help me through this, God. Please. It's in your glorious and almighty name I pray, Amen!!

Matters of the Heart

God makes it clear why we sin - it's a matter of the heart. Our hearts have been inclined toward sin from the time we were born. It is easy to fall into the routine of forgetting and forsaking God. But we can still choose whether or not to continue in sin. We can yield to a specific temptation, or we can ask God to help us resist temptation when it comes. A great verse goes with that. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.'"

God wants a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. You can never please God by outward actions - no matter how good - if your inward heart attitude is not right. Are you sorry for your sin? Do you genuinely intend to stop? God is pleased by this kind of humility. Are you seperated from God by sin? No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh new beginning if only you will turn to him.

Matthew 12:34 ends by saying, "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." What is coming out of your heart? What we say receals ehat is in our hearts. You can't solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives;  then your speech will be cleansed at it's source.

Keep listening to God. Your heart will keep changing. Don't let what's in your heart hold you captive. Our old way of life before believing in Christ is completely in the past. We should put it behind us and never look back. We are not to be driven by desire and impulse. We must put on the new role, head in the new direction, and have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives us.

Dear God, I just pray that you would take my heart and make it yours. Transform it. Clean the sin and captivity that's inside of it. Please just break my heart only so that you can make it whole again.

Collide

When two things collide, at least one of them is not going to remain the same. Real change happens when pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of changing. This is the thing that brings us to the point of despiration. The point when we are ready to collide. We want different lives than what we have now. We want relationships to be different. We want something to change. This is what majes us want to collide with Jesus.

I'm so desperate and ready to collide with God. More ready than I'll ever be. I'm ready for my life to change for the better. It's something that needs to happen. But, in order for it to happen, I need to break out of my comfort zone. I need to 'wear my sign.' I need to just let go and let God if I want that collision with him to happen.

Seeking Jesus out of despiration and the need to collide helps me to grow closer to him. As I grow closer to him, I wait for the big moment when we will collide, which will happen in his time, I know. Even a small little glimpse of Jesus is the start of a collision. If I collide with him, I will change. Regardless of my fears. I need to do it. If we collide, I'll look better and have hope.

Dear God, I want to collide with you. I want my life to change in a huge way. Please come and collide with me God. This is my call-out to you. Collide. Burst my comfort zone. Make my life be yours. Collide with me God.   

Anger Issues

When people get angry, they sometimes do things that they regret. Sometimes, you think about doing something that you'll regret. In my mind, it's one and the same. If you sin in your mind, in my opinion, it is like actually commiting the sin. I struggle with anger and sinning in my mind. I especially struggle with it when certain people get to me because I let them get to me. That is when I get convicted for sinning in my anger. The Bible even says not to do that. That's why I get convicted of it.

Ephesians 4:26 says, "In your anger do not sin:  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." That's not telling us that we shouldn't be angry. It points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. I wish that is was simple to live that. I struggle with it so much. I can say this stuff, but can I take my own advice?!

If I vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us. Don't let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationships.

So, then, when I think about anger and this stuff, I think WWJD. What would Jesus do?! Jesus wouldn't sin in his anger, or at all for that matter. So, therefore, we should be imatators of God. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Be imatators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrafice to God."

Just as children imatate their parents, we should imatate Christ. His great love for us led him to sacrafice himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind - A love that goes beyond affection to self - Sacraficing service.

Dear God, Please help me not to sin in my anger. Help me and others to not struggle with just anger in general. God, help me to imatate you. Help me God. Calm my anger.

The Lord's Plan

Sometimes in life, there are storms that take us off course, but that doesn't mean God doesn't have a plan to use us. So, saying that, stop complaining or bragging about your situation, and start allowing God to use you where you are. Do you trust God's plan? Well, be faithful to him, and he never breaks his promises. A versre that always reminds me about God's plan is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." For some reason, maybe as a sign or something, that verse keeps popping up in my life. I can't help but think/imagine that God has something big planned for me to do in my lifetime.

When God reveals the future, his purpose goes beyond satisfying our curiosity. He wants to change our present behavior because of what we know about the future. Forever begins now; and a glimpse of God's plans for his followers should motivate us to serve him, no matter what the rest of the world may do. I found a verse that goes great with that. Its Micah 4:12. It says, "But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers him like sheaves to the threshing floor."

Another good verse about the Lord's plan is Psalm 33:11. It says, "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Are you frustrated by inconsistencies you see in others, or even in yourself? Just let God counsel you, and trust his plans for your life. Remember, God is completely consistent.

For me, I'm saying that God made his plans the way he did for a reason. If we weren't in God's plan, we wouldnt even be here right now or ever. That's how I like to think of it.

Dear God, Please help me to realize that you made your plans the way you did for a reason. I know it God. Just help me to never forget it. No matter what.

Keep the Faith. :)

Hebrews 11:1 gives the definition of faith. It says this. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." There are two words that can describe faith: sure and certain. Those qualities need a secure beginning and an ending point. Our faith is in the God whoe created the entire universe by using his word. God's word has an awesome power. When he speaks, do you listen and respond? Do it with faith. How can you better prepare yourself to respond to God's word? Keep the faith.

God wants your faith to lead to a personal, dynamic relationship. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." So, believing that God exists is only the beginning. Even the demons believe that. God will not settle for mere acknowledgement of his existance. He wants our faith in him.

But, does faith make sense, really? Do you believe because faith makes sense, or because faith doesn't need to make sense?

God wants our trust and faith, even while we ponder and wonder about so many matters mysterious to us. Faith is reasonable, though reason alone cannot explain the whole of it. So use your mind to think things through. But leave room for the unexplainable works of God.

Think of Hebrews chapter 11 as faith's hall of fame. It is a reminder to me, and maybe to you too, that I need to keep my faith and show that I have it by shining it like a light throughout your life.

Dear God, Please help me to stay strong in my faith and to shine it in my daily life. God, just step in and let me not lose my faith at all when I get into situations. Thanks for everything and for faith.

Jeremiah 29:11 :)

Ever wonder why you have to be on God's schedule and not your own? Well, I have. I have the tendancy of asking that question a lot. I struggle with this a lot. Although, I have come to a conclusion for myself. If something happens, and I don't think it should, I remember that God is the one who wanted it to happen. You may ask why. Well, it's because all things happen for a reason. God has a plan for every single person. If you weren't in God's plan, then you wouldn't be breathing right now. God's awesome, and like I said, he makes everything happen for a reason. I just wish I could realize it.

Dear God, Please help me to realize the plans that you have for me. I know that they are going to happen on your schedule and not mine, so help me to have patience as I wait. Even as I wait though God, I will glorify you and shine your light so that all can see it.

~Jeremiah 29:11 = For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I realize all the time that I always want things to happen in my own time. When I think of that, I have myself read this verse. It brings me back to the reality that things are gonna happen on God's schedule. I pray that I will finally learn to except that.

I love Jesus!! :)

Ya know, I'm tired of hiding this from my non_Christian friends. I love Jesus!! :) I wanna shine his light and let it be known. Jesus loves us all. All to him I owe. I shouldn't hide my love for Him from peopl. I'm done being a chamelleon Christian.

Dear God, help me to not hide our love. I wanna shine your light so all can see. :) I need you God to give the courage I need to share this with all my friends. Even if they're not Christians. Help me to save them.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13. :)

And if our God is for us........

Chris Tomlin wrote a song. He got inspired by Romans 8:31. "And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?! And, if our God is with us, then what could stand against?!" This hits close to home for me. I finally realized today that God is here for me no matter what.

Christ won't turn around and condemn you because he gave his life for us. He won't withold anything we need to live for him. This is like a letter of confidence and comfort for us, to us. When Satsn accuses us of stuff, Jesus is like the advocate for our defense, He stands at the right hand of God and presents our case to Him. In Christ, we are super-conquerers, and his love wil protect us from any such forces. Our God is for us, NOTHING will stand against us. It's impossible to be separated from the love of Christ.

~Romans 8:31 = If God is for us, who can be against us?

This verse means a lot to me because it reminds me that God's never gonna turn his back to me. I totally and definitely love that. God's for us, so therefore nothing will stand against us. He will defeat the enemy. His light will shine through. No matter what. That passage, Romans 8:31, affects my walk with Christ. It's made it clear that God's always for us and he won't ever turn his back to me. Nothing's ever gonna stand between me & God's love. He will always be here to hold my heart through the midst of all of my storms.

I'm gonna apply all of this to my life. I'm gonna shine God's light through all this darkness. Even when I'm down, he will always have my heart. It belongs to him. The rest of my life, I'm gonna share this amazing news with people. I'm gonna do it even if my "friends" reject me. I'll pray and have God show me that I should kepp trying no matter what. I will pray that he will give me the right words to say. I'm gonna share his love and my faith with people.

Dear God, Please give me the strength I need to live my life for you. I need you God to step in and take control. I pray that you'll give me the courage and the words that I need to share you with my friends and my loved ones. I love you Lord. Show me these things I need and do it in your time.

"Our God is greater. Our God is stronger. God you are higher than any other. Our God is healer. Awesome in power. Our God. Our God." :)

Trials & Temptations

The Bible says, "consider it pure joy my friends when you are faced with trials and temptations." You love Jesus, therefore, Satan is just mad that he lost another person to God. With the power of God on your side, you can crush Satan and let it be known to him that his temptations didn't get the best of you. God won't let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He is there to help you get back up on your feet again and to form a better relationship with him.

Dear God, the trials and temptations faced in my life make my relationship with you stronger. I stick with you, well, you stick with me anyways, even when things are a little bit rough. It may seem hard but you're always gonna be here to be the light at the end of the dark and cold tunnel. You'll always be by my side.

~1 Corinthians 10:13....No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God isn't the one who does the tempting. It's Satan. He wants us to give into those temptations, but, God pulls us through so that we do not give in. All you gotta do is stay close to God and stay strong in your faith. Be shining God's light throughout your spiritual walk with Christ. Do these things and God will be sure to help you through your trials and temptations.

When I face trials and temptations of any kind, I always just say a quick prayer. Well, maybe not just a quick prayer. I do pray though. Sometimes, after I pray myself, and I'm still being tempted, I find an accountibility partner to pray with me. Sometimes when two people are praying it is more powerful. I think about it this way. God is right here with us when two or more people gather to pray in his name. God is just awesome like that.

Also, if someone you know is going through trials and temptations, pray for them. There's truly not much else that you CAN do. Just pray. God knows the situation. Just pray about it. The person may ask you for advice, but, praying is the best thing that you can do for them. You might also give them comforting words and advice AFTER you pray and ask God for the right words to say. Just ponder at this. Ya never know who you're helping.

Praise You In This Storm

     Alright. Seriously?! I just wanna finally be happy. Why can't that happen?! Either way, God's gonna make me happy in the end. I'll praise him through this storm. I'm ready for God to take my pain away and allow me to be happy and live in peace. Praising him throughout this storm is the best thing that I could do at a time like this. It's just so hard. God knows that I'm ready to be happy with my life. It's just gonna happen in his time and not mine. I just need to face that. It may be hard at times, but I know I can do it.
    
     Dear God, Please calm this storm. I can't take it anymore. I'm desperate God. All I want is peace and happiness. That's all I want. Please God. I really need you. Take my pain away. Please. It's gonna happen in your time, I know, but, I'm ready to live in peace Lord. All in your time.... 

     "I'll praise you in this storm. And, I will lift my hands. You are who you are. No matter where I stand. Every tear I cry, you hold in your hands. And, though my heart is torn. I will praise you in this storm."

     ~ Jesus calms the storm. (Mark 4:35-41.) :) Check it out. =)

     I love it when God's here by my side through my storms. I would be lost without him.

Confess & Repent

     Here's the thing:  people need to confess and repent. Don't let your sins have an iron-grip on your heart. Just ask God to take it away. Don't just admit you're a sinner. Truly let God know that you want him to wash your sins away. Ya just gotta let go and let God. Legit. Just confess your sins to God and move away from that lifestyle. Sin is sin. Don't be unwilling to call it that either. You need to get right before you get left.

     Dear God, Please help me to let it go for you. I know I need to repent God. I just struggle with telling you all of my sins. Help me to just surrender all to you. It's so hard God. Please forgive me for everything.

     ~ 1 John 1:9 = If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgivness

So, forgiveness. It is defined as "to pardon sin." Well, God's got forgiveness down. Why do I, as a Christian, have so many problems with it? I try so hard to forgive people, but it's just so hard. I've been praying that I learn how to forgive. I've just been hurt so much by myself and others that it's just so hard. So here we go:

Dear God. Please show me how to forgive. There are so many people in my life that love me and who I love. Some of those people have hurt me. I need to forgive them and myself. Show me how, God. Show me how...

So, now I find myself thinking. Thinking that I need to forgive some people. I'll do whatever it takes.

Mark 11:25 says, "When you stand to pray, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him. Then your Father in Heaven will forgive your sins also."