Jennifer posted this today and I thought I would share it with you. Thank you, Jennifer for sharing this on your blog!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Purpose.
Sometimes I lose sight of my purpose. I forget what I was created for. Lately, I've been bored and that's lead me to question life's purpose. I have been reading God's word every day, but I haven't been dwelling on it. I read a passage and move on to the next task, neglecting to ask God to teach me something new each day. Slowly, I've forgotten truths from the Bible that I should never have let go. Tonight I decided to change that. I confessed everything that has been hindering my relationship with God to him and I asked for forgiveness. Then I committed to live according to God's truth. I wrote a prayer in my journal, and the verses below the lines on the pages I wrote on literally leaped off the pages and hit me smack on the head. 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Psalm 51:10, Isaiah 49:13, and finally Mark 9:23 each in turn spoke to my empty heart. You see, I've let truths escape my heart and as a result, it has become filthy on the inside, even though the outside looks clean, just like Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27. As I spent time in prayer talking to the LORD, He poured so much truth into my heart and now I'm bursting with joy. He gave me purpose and peace. When my prayer was over, I was satisfied, but I just wanted to keep talking to my Creator and never stop. Even now I can't wait to spend more time in his word. God lead me to read James 1 after I had finished praying, since I thought of James 1:5-8 during my prayer. My doubt has been hindering my relationship with Christ. He wants to give me good things, but when my loyalty is divided between Him and the world, how can He? Scripture really struck me tonight and I pray that it stays in this tiny heart of mine. God is the One who gives life to all things. He plants a purpose in our hearts and in the depths of our souls. Praise him for giving us purpose and joy! Seek God and spend time in his word daily. Don't undermine the power of prayer - it's how we build a deep, personal relationship with our Savior.
"So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." -James 1:21
I leave with you James 1:22-25. Soak in the words and as you do, let God create in you a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within you. I encourage you to read the rest of the chapter, and look up the other Bible verses I referenced above. Let's listen to God's word and obey His laws that set us free!
In Christ,
Jessica
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. -James 1:22-25
"So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." -James 1:21
I leave with you James 1:22-25. Soak in the words and as you do, let God create in you a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within you. I encourage you to read the rest of the chapter, and look up the other Bible verses I referenced above. Let's listen to God's word and obey His laws that set us free!
In Christ,
Jessica
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. -James 1:22-25
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Wait patiently.
Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with [an evildoer] who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes. -Psalm 37:7 {GOD'S WORD}
It's difficult to surrender ourselves to God and wait patiently for him, but that's what he commands us to do. This summer I was hoping to get a job, but I still don't have one. I could be angry with God, but instead I'm waiting patiently for him to show me what he wants me to accomplish for his glory this summer.
My parents have patiently waited for the LORD for his plans for their lives this year. He told them to leave PNG and return to the US so that some of the evil influences that are currently in my brother's life will be removed and so that my brother's relationship with Christ might be restored.
My mom and dad could have decided to stay put in Papua New Guinea and do the work that God has given them to do, but instead they have chosen to surrender their wills to God and he has blessed them for their obedience. Our church's missionary house is available for them to live in for a year and they were able to buy plane tickets for the trip to the States. Praise God for his faithfulness and grace in their lives.
There are still needs, but I am confident that God will provide. My parents don't own a car, so they need to purchase one, and I lost my scholarship at college for next semester, (I can get it back for the following semester if I raise my GPA to a certain point), so I might have to take out another loan or my parents will have to help me pay the extra dollars. Please pray that we will be able to pay for all of our needs and that my family will continue to trust God's will. Also pray that I would be motivated to study hard so that I can receive high grades and get my scholarship back. Thanks!
In Christ,
Jessica
It's difficult to surrender ourselves to God and wait patiently for him, but that's what he commands us to do. This summer I was hoping to get a job, but I still don't have one. I could be angry with God, but instead I'm waiting patiently for him to show me what he wants me to accomplish for his glory this summer.
My parents have patiently waited for the LORD for his plans for their lives this year. He told them to leave PNG and return to the US so that some of the evil influences that are currently in my brother's life will be removed and so that my brother's relationship with Christ might be restored.
My mom and dad could have decided to stay put in Papua New Guinea and do the work that God has given them to do, but instead they have chosen to surrender their wills to God and he has blessed them for their obedience. Our church's missionary house is available for them to live in for a year and they were able to buy plane tickets for the trip to the States. Praise God for his faithfulness and grace in their lives.
There are still needs, but I am confident that God will provide. My parents don't own a car, so they need to purchase one, and I lost my scholarship at college for next semester, (I can get it back for the following semester if I raise my GPA to a certain point), so I might have to take out another loan or my parents will have to help me pay the extra dollars. Please pray that we will be able to pay for all of our needs and that my family will continue to trust God's will. Also pray that I would be motivated to study hard so that I can receive high grades and get my scholarship back. Thanks!
In Christ,
Jessica
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