Life’s tough…

Natalie Grant:  In The End
Time for another Coffee Chat, so grab a cup of coffee…or tea if you prefer.

Sometimes we tend to get really tired of hearing the old cliché ‘life is hard but God is good,’ right?  Let’s face it, life is hard, really hard sometimes.  When it seems as if we have nothing left to give or no where else to turn God is always there for us.  Even though times are tough, just remember, we win in the end!
Being overlooked in life can be frustrating and difficult, but knowing that we are handpicked  by God makes a difference.  Knowing that I have a God who loves me and appreciates me; unconditionally, He made me who I am and He gives me the strength daily to get through anything I come across.  Faith is amazing!  It’s believing without seeing and it makes the impossible…possible!  It’s through faith that we have been saved.  Saved by grace from a multitude of sins.  All because we are loved so much by our God.  A God who gave His only Son to give us eternal life, if we just believe. 

When we fully believe and enter into a relationship with Christ, we our changed for eternity.  With every challenge we face and every obstacle that comes our way that seems hard.  We know we can get through it with God on our side. 
As followers of Christ we will have our challenges, we will have several questions and we will shed a few tears, okay let’s be honest…we shed a lot of tears through out our life but we always have open arms to run to when things get difficult.  Just remember we don’t have to do anything by ourselves again if we just let go. 

I love the chorus to the song, In The End from Natalie Grants album, Hurricane.  “There's coming a day the sun will always shine
He's gonna wipe away every tear from your eyes
Hold on my brother, things are gonna better
You're gonna smile again Cause we win in the end”
What’s your favorite song that get’s you through tough times?  Maybe you have a favorite Bible verse?  Would love to hear your thoughts!

Blessings,

Let it go…and be renewed!

 

You don’t have to
  
alone…
let it go and take God

with you!

So…I totally love watching the DIY network from time to time. Some brilliant ideas are out there for working on most nearly everything.  It just tunes you in and keeps you there for a while.  But this time I saw a little more in the show that I was watching.
I was watching ‘Rehab Addict; which of course is a DIY TV show where the lady goes in and rehabilitates a house for people or sometimes even for herself.  Anyway, they were remodeling a house for a couple during this episode and she was finding that so much of the ‘old’ part of the house had just been covered up with new stuff, as well as new additions that were added.  The house had had previous walls, staircases, etc.  just covered up to make look ‘new’ instead of taking it out or refinishing it.  It was made to look nice but it actually just ended up creating a bunch of wasted space and problems with the house from floor to ceiling. 

Isn’t that house like some can live their lives?  They just tend to cover up their problems of their old life with trying to build their new life up.  Instead of digging in and getting their hands dirty and refinishing the ‘old self’ by sanding off the rough edges and making the necessary changes to the old life and really transforming the old into the new, so that the new can really shine out.  If we really take the time to strip away the old, something new can really end up shining out bright.
Eyes can be drawn to the details instead of being hidden by all the cover up. It may not be easy and tough at times but if you get in there and work on the clean up process, soon the old will become new and the difference will be eternal.

As much as we want to be able to do everything ourselves with all the ‘do it yourself’ stuff out there, sometimes we just need to ask for help.

Be renewed.  
Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Speaking of renewing our lives.  We just celebrated Easter (from the days leading up to Palm Sunday to the Last Supper to the Resurrection).  This is where many churches tend to have many people come through their doors.  Some for the first time ever in their life,  many regular attendees and many of your 2-3 times of year attendees.  Either way, they are making their way through the doors and they will have one chance that weekend to hear the Word of God and why we are followers of Christ.  It is also our one chance to make that impact in their live in that hour to hour in a half we have these people who came here as they are in our midst.  It’s our chance as followers of Christ to share that relationship we have with those people who may not know or understand and why we choose to follow Christ through out our daily lives.  We have the chance to share with them the relationship that can impact their future. 

This is the biggest choice we have to make and it’s an eternal one.  Which makes it highly important to tell everyone about it.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

So, let it go, ask for help, take God with you to help you clean up.  You don’t have to do it by yourself.  You’re not expected to do it alone.  And, in the end the difference will be eternal. 

Just a couple great verses here at the end I wanted to share at the end here as well.

Colossians 3:1-17 – Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.  You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.  But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.  Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Ephesians 4:17-32 –  With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ.  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.  And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

 

Blessings,

Stop looking at your circumstances…

Music Video:  Hurricane (Natalie Grant)
Stop looking at your circumstances and just look up!

I love the song Hurricane by Natalie Grant!  While I was at a Women of Faith conference this past year, Natalie spoke about several of her songs from her most recent album, Hurricane. Telling a little bit of the behind the scenes with the songs and why some of them were written and the importance they have on her life.
Natalie referred to Matthew 14, and how Jesus showed up during the storm, but the storm continued.  Even though the storm is all around us, Jesus is with us through the storm.  Just like He was with Peter.  Jesus reached out to help Peter walk on water.  When Peter doubted his faith he started sinking, it wasn’t until Peter kept his eyes on Jesus and kept his faith strong that he was able to walk toward Jesus on the water.

I love what she has to say  about this…
Something about that story jumped off the page in a new way for me that morning. What stood out to me, was that there Jesus stood, and the storm was still raging. Jesus had come to them now, and He was right there. He could have stopped the storm, but it was still raging. As Christians, we think if you have enough faith, your life will be perfect and your trials will disappear. The fact is that sometimes your trials will increase. (Natalie Grant, New Release Tuesday Interview)

Matthew 14:22-33 is where Jesus walks on the water during the storm.  This excerpt is from the Message Bible.  As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.  Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”He said, “Come ahead.”Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

In 1 Peter 5:10, it says that, In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (NLT)

In this world we will have trials, but with our faith and hope in Christ we will be given new strength.  As Christians, our trials will increase and it’s how we deal and react to these trials we face that shape our lives we live.   So even though we may suffer/hurt for a little while, we will gain the strength to overcome our trials and we can rest with Christ.  God will strengthen you in the midst of your trials.  When you stop looking at your circumstances and just look up you can find the strength you may never have known you had.  So when you feel that there’s nothing more you can do and you feel weighed down with your heavy burdens, just remember that the God says, ‘come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.’  He is with you in the midst of your storm and you are being transformed from the inside out. 

Keep looking up and following HIS PLAN for you.  Just remember, He’s going to say you are worthy! Worthy of so much in your life. 

Blessings,

Raise your voice…

Scared.
Alone. Innocent.
Angry. 

Just a few of the words that can be used to describe the victims of those enslaved in human trafficking.Most of the victims here are sold against their will, they are taken into captivity and used and abused every day.  They have no voice in the situation.  They live in hope that their cries will be heard one day.  While some may have been promised money and a good life, only to find out when they arrive to their destination that it’s all a lie.  They were lied to.  Now they’re stuck as a prisoner in a world of lies and abuse.  Will you speak up for them?

Raise your voice.  Shine a light on slavery.  Take a stand.  There can be some great power spoken in just those few words right there.  If you haven’t yet heard of the agencies that work to fight against human trafficking, you should check out the A21 Campaign and/or Abolition International.  They are doing some amazing things in the world to put a stop to the human trafficking issue and they are saving lives daily.  We have to speak up and share this message to be heard.  If we can make more people aware of the situations occurring than more victims can be heard and their lives can be saved.  Be the voice to the voiceless.
Proverbs 31:8, says; Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed. (NLT)
You might be thinking, ‘what does this have to do with me?  I’ve never seen it around here.’  Just because you’ve not witnessed it personally doesn’t mean in doesn’t exist.  Trafficking just doesn’t exist in the third-world countries.  North America is quite possibly just as big of ground for human trafficking as other countries are.  Many are being rescued from this horrific form of slavery every day.
These people are silenced in there suffering as they are enslaved by traffickers.  “Because every 30 seconds another human being becomes a victim of human trafficking".”  (A21 Campaign)
Natalie Grant’s song Home, is a great song to give hope to those who have been enslaved and rescued.    
You’re home, where secrets are told see a new world unfolding where hearts are one, the pain’s undone and you’re finally belonging, yeah and you need to know, you need to know you’re home, yeah you need you know, you need to know you’re home
Everything’s gonna be alright
’cause you’re home
feel the sun, your day has come
you’re not alone you’re home

Love the words to Natalie Grant’s song, Safe, which says; In Him, I am safe.  
I ‘m not gonna hide, I’m not gonna run away, I’ll uncover the scars and show You every mistake, Your love is mending my blisters and my bruising shame, here with you I am safe, I am safe, I am safe, I am safe…

So if you have heard this and want to do something about it, check out the websites from A21 Campaign and Abolition International and start a Love Revolution! 

Blessings and Be A Voice to the Voiceless,

Before you speak…T.h.i.n.k.

Coffee Chat #4

It’s coffee time! I love being able to go grab a cup of coffee with a friend and just be able to talk with each other about what’s been happening in our lives.  It feels great to be able to really connect with friends, it’s how we are able to keep so close.  So why not make that same commitment with our God, Our Father.  Schedule a coffee date with Him every day and catch up on life’s standings.

I can’t believe that it is already March!  So much has happened and so much is getting ready to happen as we speak.  I just want to say that, it is so true that with God, all things are possible.  Even when trials come your way, the trials with give you more strength that you could ever imagine.  God is with us in our trials and He is always there in our lives.  So let us rejoice in the trials just as we rejoice in the great things that happen in our lives, they only make us stronger. 

   I love the T.h.i.n.k. picture to the left here.  Some great questions to ask yourself before saying something to someone.

   I was listening a message and the speaker was reading from James 1.  It says in James 1:2-4 (AMP) that, "’to consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, when ever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring our endurance and steadfastness and patience.  But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.’
There’s that saying that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.  We are to listen to one another twice as much as we are to speak.  While for some listening is actually a great spiritual gift of theirs, whereas, for others it’s a daily battle each day.  The mouth is said to be known as sharper than a double edged sword, and if you know anything about swords…that can really hurt when it pierces you. 
It’s quite possibly one of our biggest challenges as humans…watching what we say, because let’s face it, we are human and sometimes that ‘filter switch’ doesn’t get flipped in our brains and we tend to blurt out whatever is on our mind without even thinking about it.  For one, you never know how someone is going to take a criticism and if you are too blunt with your words you could hurt someone more.  We need that empathy for people, we need to be able to see ourselves in their situation to be able to see how we would like to have someone react to us.  Without empathy, you could end up hurting feelings and doing far more damage to the self-esteem in people. 
People don’t like to be pushed around.  Although, some people tend to be ‘go with the flow’ people a little bit more, but don’t try and take advantage of their kindness just because they don’t say much.  They are observing the situation going on, they are noting behavioral patterns, if they feel taken advantage of or not understood, chances are they are not going to trust you as much as they would someone who is more real and willing to listen to them. They will ‘clam up’ more if they feel you’re pushing them.  So speaking harshly to them could hurt them as well, so listen to them more, understand them and be honest with them, in a loving matter, and the trust will be stronger.
Kindness will give you strength and others will respect you for it.  Be real, be genuine, be honest and think before you talk and act.  You’ll be respected for it in the long run. 
Sometimes people will hurt you with words.  But we don’t have to retaliate and sink to their level.  If we can rise above of the situation and put one foot in front of the other and keep moving on and past them, we show that we have the dignity to come away from a bad situation and show love with our actions rather than words of anger.
I love listening to Lysa TerKeurst and reading her posts. She always tends to have those real-life honest moments that we all have in our life.  She seems to get the reality of being real with people. It is so true that in order to reach someone you have to be real and be honest with them. But you have to do it in a loving way. People may not want to hear what you have to say but if your honest with them they will hopefully be honest with you. Sometimes we end up in situations we don't like but if we trust Jesus and can keep moving forward. 
I'll end with this great gut-honest prayer by Lysa TerKeust, “God I don’t love this situation.  But I love You.  Therefore, I have everything I need to keep putting one foot in front of the other and will walk though until I get to the other side of this.  I trust in You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Blessings,

Don’t just go to church…Be the church!

Music Video: Build Your Kingdom Here!

I’ve been thinking about this blog lately and I really want this to be a place where I can come together in fellowship among friends on here, but I also would love this to be an open fellowship place where we can share thoughts and ideas about sharing the Love of Christ to this world.  The main goal of my blog is to be able to share openly and honestly about what we are feeling and how we can help each other out. So, I would love for you to link up here with me or if you like message me your email and I will add you to my email list here also. 
I love the song that comes on the radio every once in a while, Build Your Kingdom here.  I love how this song reiterates that, We are Your church.  We need Your power in us.  Because honestly speaking, that’s what it is all about.  We are the church!  We are the people that God sent to spread HIS WORD!  We were created for this.  It shouldn’t matter what building we are in, whether it’s a nice, pretty on the inside and out, or typical church building or just an old abandoned warehouse building that needs a lot of tender loving care to keep it up.  If we are all really serious about getting out there and ministering and serving our community…nothing else would matter.  We do this because we love God!  We are humble in what he did for us when He sent His Son to save us from our past and sin.  We are grateful and we want to share this wonderful gift that has been given to us with everyone we come into contact with.John 3:16 says that, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Our question to think about is how can we get these great words from God out to the people of this world?

It’s all ties into us being the church, and having that reminder to us that each one of us have gifts and we don’t all have the same gift.  We all have been given different gifts so we can come together with our gifts and help people as one body of believers.  When we come together as a church, we come together to help and build up each other as one body so that we as one body can go out and reach those lost in the world.  We work together in unity so that others will see that love penetrate from our hearts to theirs. 
In Matthew 28:16-20, (The Great Commission), Christ tells us to go out into the world to share the good news.Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 says, All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.


We are never alone when we talk to people.  Even as we are chatting it up with a random stranger in the grocery store and we have nobody physically by are side; we as followers of Christ, having studied God’s Word, have God with us 24/7 giving us the words to speak and the wisdom to say them to the people that we come into contact with on a daily basis.  Which is why it’s so important to find a daily bible study or devotional to study on your own every day.  Our time with God is the most important time we have available to us and our number 1 priority.  I love starting my day out with God. I find that if I make it a point to wake up just a little bit earlier before my day starts, grab my cup of coffee, my Bible and my journal and spend that time in reading and praying with God, I tend to be in a happier state of mind through out my day.  Now mornings may not work for everyone, some may prefer afternoons, evening or nights.  I’m just saying that we need to make God our #1 in our life. 

I love the last verse to the song, Build Your Kingdom here.  **Build Your kingdom here. Let the darkness fear. Show Your mighty hand. Heal our streets and land!  Set Your church on fire!  Win this nation back.  Change the atmosphere! Build Your kingdom here! We pray!**This verse can really show us that we can go out to the streets and minister to people.  Don’t be afraid of what’s out there because God’s got us.  He can help us share.  He doesn’t call the qualified…He qualifies the called.  He does this through the gifts He gives us that I mentioned earlier.  So let’s go an win this nation back.  Let’s set out to do this work that was set out for us to do and not worry about ‘our circumstances.’  Let’s take US out of the picture and put GOD into the picture. It is not about us, but it is all about HIM and we are building the Kingdom of God!
So let’s get out there and BE THE CHURCH and serve.  I pray that we can have the strength and courage to step out of our building we meet in during our worship times and be the church out on the streets and in this world we live in.

 Grace and Peace to you all,
Blessings!

Motivational Monday

I love coming across these little motivational messages.  Because it is important that we make time to spend with God, each and everyday.  It’s for our own benefit and growth.  My favorite time of time to have “quiet time” is in the morning, right after I wake up.  I feel that when I dig into my bible study I feel so much more refreshed to begin my day and more prepared to encounter challenges through out my day that come up.  I feel like when I open up my day first thing with God, although I also like to talk to Him more all day long as I am making my daily decisions.  And, it really does put everything into perspective, doesn’t it? 

What’s your favorite time of day to sit down and talk/listen to God?

Wake up.....you've been rescued…

I was reading back over my notes I took from a Women of Faith conference in October; remembering the message from Christine Caine on that Saturday.  I feel so blessed to have been able to attend the two-day conference and to be able to hear from so many inspirational speakers.
Christine Caine, author of the book; Undaunted, started out in Matthew 6, reading the verses where Jesus is feeding the 5,000.  

She addressed us with a few points and questions...

Key Point:  Jesus can not multiply what we don’t recognize!Reflect Point:  Would you give Him what you have?

What would you have done in this situation if you were there?  What would you have been thinking?  Would you give up everything for Jesus, if He asked you to?  Something to ponder, right?  Great thing is what we give up to Him, He just multiplies into more.  I mean, how awesome is that?

Christine also talked about the A21 campaign.  These girls that are being rescued day after day from a life of trafficking are miracles just because they are still alive after suffering as they do.   Same as we were rescued by God in any or whatever situation we've have been through.  Then the wonderful part is that now we have the chance to rescue others, just as we have been rescued.  Even though there are times we may feel broken…it’s through the brokenness that we need the grace of God.  
I love this next quote that she used when we feel like we are too broken or not good enough.  “The devil on his best day, didn’t take you out on your worst day!”  How powerful is that?  God is with us on good days as well as bad ones and He is there when we fall and to help us get back up again. 

The same God that is with you in the storm will get you through it.  Because storms will come in your life.  It doesn't matter what happens in the world we have an eternity with God, sealed to be with Him forever, when we enter into a relationship with Him.

It’s time for the church to grow up and not just exist!  It’s time for us to do something about reaching the people out there in this world and sharing the love of Christ and why it is so important to believe and develop a relationship with Christ.
Also, don’t think that YOU need God any less than you did before.  We need Him just as much now.

The same God that was with you then is with you now! 

Heaven is for Real

 

This is a great book! Easter 2014 the movie releases. Check out the trailer below.

 

 

 

 

You gave Your life away...

Love this song we sang in church this past Sunday. Here's the chorus...powerful words! 

"...You gave, You gave Your life away
You gave, You gave Your life away
You gave, You gave Your life away for me

Your grace has broken every chain
My sins are gone, my debt's been paid
You gave, You gave Your life away for me..."