Be An Eager Mary

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha' the Lord answered. 'You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:38-42

This story has always come to mind at times where I needed to be reminded to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus, and just listen. We all are always so busy in life, always on the run, our schedule so crazy packed with things to do. We run around all over, yet neglect to realize the importance of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Jesus, in Martha's frustration tell her that Mary had chosen what is better. 

Jesus wouldn't make Mary go and help Martha because Mary took the time to sit at the feet of the Lord. Would you have done the same? If Jesus was sitting in your living room on the couch, would you be busy in the kitchen cooking and doing everything else, neglecting the fact that Jesus was right there waiting to spend time with you? I don't know about you, but I would spend as much time as I could at the feet of Jesus soaking up every bit of knowledge, and encouragement from him. 

In our busy schedules it's easy to forget how important it is to pause and take even just fifteen minutes out of our day to spend with Jesus. He's sitting there just waiting and hoping you would just stop and come spend time with him. He's always eager to spend time with us. Mary did the right thing and sat at his feet. We need to do the same. 

My encouragement to you today would be to stop, pause, and take just a couple moments and spend some time with Jesus. Pray, talk to him, let him re-energize you and fill you up. It may be just the thing you need to get through the rest of your day. Don't be a busy Martha, be an eager Mary. Eager to sit at his feet and soak Him up. 

Picking Up Our Crosses

"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" - Luke 9:23

Jesus' path meant that these disciples would live in tension. They had access to many blessings through Jesus, but His departure meant that other blessings the Messiah would bring were to come. But, here Jesus says that to follow him means walking in the path of the cross. Disciples are like their teacher, they need to understand that life in this world will not involve an easy, stress less walk.


That path involves 'taking up the cross' (like Jesus did), 'losing ones life' (like Jesus did), and not being ashamed of Christ. The essence and root of a true disciple is humility before God. Taking up your cross daily and following Jesus means walking in the footsteps of ministry in this world like Jesus himself did. He gave of himself daily, even to the point of rejection which led him to the cross.

Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." 

A disciple or follower of Christ has to be prepared to be rejected, we follow in the same path as Christ. Jesus in this scripture is preparing his disciples for his departure from them. He calls us all to be faithful in rejection by the world. But we know that through our suffering, Christ will vindicate through righteousness. 

But know that our suffering will not be in vain. Do not be afraid to pick up that cross daily. Jesus willingly picked up his cross and be nailed to it. The least we can do is carry ours and know it is because of that cross that we have the ability to have a cross to pick up. Do not be ashamed of it, He wasn't ashamed to die for you. 

The Den of Lions

“Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:21-23

This story shares again the evidence of God’s protection and faithfulness to one of his children whom love him. “My God sent his angel” Daniel takes up the king's expression, and confirms it; he asserts God to be his God, of which he had given him a proof in sending his angel to him that night; either one of the ministering spirits about him, or the Angel of the covenant, the same with him, said to be like the Son of God, that was seen in the fiery furnace, even the Messiah in human form: and shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me; by taking away hunger from them, or by striking terror into them; so that they had either no inclination to hurt him, or were afraid of him: 

forasmuch as before him innocence was found in me; either before God, or before his Angels.

Daniel appeared to be an innocent and righteous person; therefore the Lord pleaded his case, and made it to appear that he was just, and his case good; for this is not to be understood of the merits of his works, and the causality of them to justify and save; for here he is speaking not of the righteousness of his person, but of his cause; and not of eternal, but temporal salvation.

and also before you, O king, I have done no harm. Either to his person or government; nothing that was criminal and sinful, but what was just and right, serving daily his God; and this was plain to the king, what he knew and owned; and though he had acted contrary to the decree the lords had craftily obtained, yet it was not out of disrespect to the king, but in obedience to his God. In doing of which he had done nothing prejudicial to the king's interest.

Then was the king exceeding glad for him. For Daniel, because of his safety, because he was alive, and in health, and unhurt; and the speech he made was very acceptable to him, agreeable to his sentiments, and which he was satisfied was just and true: or "with", or "for himself" being now eased of a guilty and distracted conscience: So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him. That is, he ordered those that were with him, his servants that attended him, either to roll away the stone, and so let him out; or to let down ropes, and draw him out, or ladders by which he might ascend; for one would think it would not have been safe for them to have gone down into it, to take him up: these orders the king gave without the consent of his lords, being animated to it by the miracle.” (John Gill's Exposition of the Bible)

When Daniel was brought up from the den, no bruise was found on him by them throwing him into the den, no wound was made by the lions, or his flesh in the least torn by them: because he had trusted in his God. Think of the amazing faith Daniel had to have as he was being thrown into that den of lions. I couldn’t imagine how he felt as he saw his face get closer, and closer to the bottom, hit the bottom and look up seeing lions right in his face. What a picture huh? But Daniel’s faith was unlike any other. We live in a lion’s den on a daily basis. We are being thrown deep into this chasm of life where the world is our den and we are surrounded by lies, deceit, and struggles. So what are we to do to in this lion’s den called life?

Pray, be in your Word, have your armor on daily. I was talking yesterday to one of the girls I’ve been mentoring, and I was encouraging her and tell her how important being in the Word is. Let’s face it, we all struggle to sit down and just have that time with God during our busy daily schedules. I’ve used excuse after excuse to try and justify not doing them. God, this semester is challenging me, and giving me all the time in the world, which takes away any and every excuse I could conjure up. The amazing impact having those daily devotions has woken me up and jerked me up short. IT IS VITAL to our survival in this world!

Like I shared in my last post, Jesus himself used the Word, the Bible against the devil in the desert, the enemy cannot argue or get passed the Word of God, and it’s inherent, “belonging to the basic nature of someone or something.” It is ESSENTIAL to our walk with God. Praying is also important. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Followed by Romans 8:26 that says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words.”

The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf when we don’t even know what to pray. Sometimes, we have no words, and are in dire straits where the words just aren't there. It’s in those times that Holy Spirit ministers to us in our need. So my encouragement to you today will be, have faith, know that Christ is with you in the den of lion’s you are in. Know that Christ will intercede on your behalf, and protect you from the lions. Stay faithful to him, and He will be faithful to you. Pray, do your devotions, edify yourself with the Word because it really makes a difference. 

Trust me. 

Spiritual Weapons

“The weapons we fight are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and ever pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought, to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)

“The work of the ministry is a warfare, not after the flesh indeed, for it is a spiritual warfare, with spiritual enemies and for spiritual purposes. And though ministers walk in the flesh, or live in the body, and in the common affairs of life act as other men, yet in their work and warfare they must not go by the maxims of the flesh, nor should they design to please the flesh: this must be crucified with its affections and lusts; it must be mortified and kept under. (2.) The doctrines of the gospel and discipline of the church are the weapons of this warfare; and these are not carnal: outward force, therefore, is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. A good argument this is against persecution for conscience’ sake: conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force of arms. And so the weapons of our warfare are mighty, or very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing and cogent. This indeed is through God, or owing to him, because they are his institutions, and accompanied with his blessing, which makes all opposition to fall before his victorious gospel.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

So I am really loving the Common English Bible translation. It sets into motion a modern outlook on the Word of God in ways we can apply today. Ephesians 6:10-18 says, “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God's armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. We aren't fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word. Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.”

All I can say is Amen, and Amen! Lately I have felt attacked, spiritually, emotionally and even physically ever since I came back to school. I’ve talk to mentors about it and they have been praying for me and encouraging me. One mentor in particular has encouraged me to daily pray this scripture out loud and put on my armor. Every day, it has been a challenge but I want to make it into a routine because it helps so much. You can walk out your door knowing that your armor is on already and anything the enemy may throw at you that day is blocked. Maybe not completely but his arrows won’t kill you. Today was one of those days that this morning was a whirlwind and I didn’t get the chance too, the enemy took that opportunity and I got hit with an arrow because I was unprotected. I instantly prayed God’s protection over me and it was hard to feel better. Nobody feels better after being shot by an arrow, it’s painful, uncomfortable and it takes you down. Especially when it’s unexpected. Which is why claiming and praying the armor over your days and life is so important.

“Above all carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the SWORD of the spirit, which is God’s Word.” The entire armor is important for us to have, but these two are most important. You carry the shield to protect yourself and then the Sword that is God’s word to combat the enemy. God’s Word is your sword, it’s the most powerful thing we can use against the enemy. Jesus even used God’s word against Satan when he was tempted in the desert. 

Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, "Since you are God's Son, command these stones to become bread." Jesus replied, "It's written, People won't live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God." After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, "Since you are God's Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won't hit your foot on a stone." Jesus replied, "Again it's written, don’t test the Lord your God." Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, "I'll give you all these if you bow down and worship me." Jesus responded, "Go away, Satan, because it's written, you will worship the Lord your God and serve only him." The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him.” Matthew 4:1-11

Notice Jesus responded with “IT IS WRITTEN, IT IS WRITTEN, IT IS WRITTEN” Jesus knew that the devil couldn’t argue and win against the powerful, inherent Word of God. Nobody can. The battles we face are spiritual, and the Bible, our SWORD is what defeats the enemy when he comes at us. Which is why it is SO important for us to be in our Word constantly because it gives us the weapons we need to defeat the enemy when he comes at us, and he WILL come at us. He will never stop. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Be on guard, clearheaded and alert. The devil is swift and cunning, he knows your weaknesses, and he lies in wait for you to be at your weakest like a lion. If you’re not ready, he will devour you, so always have your shield and sword ready because you never know when he will attack. But you have victory in the Lord, and the weapons He has anointed to give to us. 

The Giver That Sows

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

“If I am sowing wheat in the field, it stands to reason that the more seed I sow, the greater harvest I will have. Now if I want to be very careful about how I sow, and just take seeds and toss them out here and there, then I’m only going to have little wheat shoots here and there. I’m not going to have much of a harvest. But if I go out and sow just abundantly, then I’m going to reap an abundant harvest.” Chuck Smith.

The more you give, the more you get, the more God returns, the greater the harvest. The word “reap” comes from the Greek word ‘therizo’ which means ‘summer harvest’ with reference to bringing Samaritans into the kingdom of God, in regard to which the disciples would enjoy the fruits of what Christ has been doing ministering in Samaria. The Greek word ‘eulogeo’ has a couple meanings but in this case, it comes from the synonym, ‘aineo’ which means to praise; the cause to prosper; to make happy; to bestow blessings on. 

Verses 7 and 8 in the same chapter go on to say, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.” (ESV)

I have been blessed to see times where my parents didn’t have much money to spare but they would see a homeless person and be impressed upon to buy them food. Just this summer my mom and I bought food for a homeless man and it wasn’t out of selfish ambition or gain, but to give this man food in his stomach. There are times when we (and I say we because I am guilty of the same thing) that we just pass homeless people by without realizing that very easily that could be us. We could be the ones standing on the corner, starving, in need of food. 

I don’t know about you, but wouldn’t you hope someone would sacrifice $5.00 of their Starbucks for the day so you could eat? Reality check. Philippians 4:12 is a great reminder of this. I’m quoting out of the Common English Bible because it gives a great modern way of looking at it. “I know the experience of being in need, and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry, whether having plenty or being poor.” Wow. 

The apostle Paul really did know this. He didn’t have an easy life. In fact, Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church to thank them for the gift they had sent him when they heard of his detention in Rome. He uses this letter to report on how he is doing, but also to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in persecution, rejoice regardless of circumstances, and to exhort them to humility and unity. Even in prison Paul was reaching out to help the Philippian church. I know life can hand us some crazy cards, but in all this, I encourage you to give out of yourself in whatever way you see fit. See what God may sow out of it because you may be really blessed by it.

I was always blessed by watching my parents feed those homeless people because it was always showing a side of Christ nobody shows very often. I remember the looks on their faces and that has been imprinted on my heart. You never know what life is gonna bring, so use it well now, you won’t regret it. 

The Fiery Furnace

“And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” – Daniel 3:23-25

King Nebuchadnezzer tells us right off the bat who the fourth person was. It was Jesus Christ, son of God. He was literally with them in their worst trial. We don’t know if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew Jesus was with them in their fiery ordeal. Isn’t that just like us sometimes? There are times we are fully aware of Jesus’ presence in our lives and trials, and sometimes it feels like He’s not there, but He IS nonetheless.

Charles Spurgeon observed that God’s people are often in the furnace and though there are different kinds of furnaces they serve similar purposes in our life. There is the furnace that men prepare, that Satan prepares and that God prepares. God can deliver us FROM a trial or he can miraculously sustain and strengthen us IN a trial. King Nebuchadnezzer also observed that the four men were free in the fire. The fire only burnt the ropes that bound them.

Verses 26-27

“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.”

Before they are out of the furnace the king recognizes that they serve the Most High God. The fire also had no harmed them and had no power over them because of Christ. John 16:33 says, “In the world you will face trials of many kinds, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” This miracle turned the king’s life around. The testimony was amazing to him as he saw God work in the lives of these men who believed in Christ, it impacted him.

Imagine the impact our own trials can have on the people in our lives. For a long time as our family was going through our own fiery furnace, we didn’t talk about anything, or share about what we were going through. But within the last two years God started to do so much that we couldn’t help but share Christ coming through for us in the mist of our trials. Which is what I use this blog for.

I’m here to share with you what God is doing in and through me so that maybe it will encourage you. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it joy when you face trials of many kinds because the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” If we never go through the fire, we would have no reason to have faith in what Christ is able and capable to do and we miss out on the astounding miracles. 

If you are in your own fiery furnace right now, know that Jesus is right beside you and you will survive because HE has overcome and so will you! 

Hidden Sin

“He reveals deep and hidden things, he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him.” – Daniel 2:22

It is God who revealed to man what true wisdom was when no one else could. It is He that reveals things to come. He perfectly discerns and distinguishes that which is most closely and industriously concealed. Psalm 139:11-12 says, “He knows what is in darkness and what is done in the darkness, for that hides not from him.”

The word ‘gehla’ means to reveal; to uncover, to be discovered. The Greek word ‘kryptos’ means inwardly secret, hidden. So here we see that God will uncover what is inwardly hidden from normal sight. The Greek word, ‘araphel’ is defined as ‘thick darkness, gross darkness, dark cloud.’

When we are participating in sin there is a spiritual battle going on inside us. There is an araphel a gross dark cloud over us but, even in that Christ sees it and knows all about it. He brings it to light. The Greek word ‘photizo’ means to give light, illuminate; make to see. Light dwells in God, He is the light that shines in the darkness. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with him and one another.” 

Sin can be something that destroys you from the inside out. Jesus said in John 8:34, “truly, truly I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” But know that we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23) We can rest in the knowledge that because of Christ’s sacrifice we are no longer a slave to sin, because of His grace and righteousness.“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

I don’t know about you but I am so thankful for Jesus taking my place. God created us with a sinful nature and we are human after all, but because of Jesus we can come to throne of the father in repentance and be forgiven of all our sin. He knows we will sin again, all of us sin every single day in one way or another, but he shows us grace every single time. “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14. 

The word ‘grace’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘chen’ meaning, well-favored. We are the children of the most High God, we are favored by him because he loves us as much as He does. In this favor, we have victory over sin. So be encouraged that you don’t have to live in sin anymore and find hope in Christ’s love and grace for all of us. If you find yourself fighting a battle of sin, kneel before the throne of your Father and lay them down at his feet, be free of the sin that easily entangles you. Don’t get caught up in the messiness of it.

So many people today praise Jesus with one arm and are sinning with the other hand. Don't be like that. The Pharisees were like that and Jesus condemned them for their hypocrisy. Take your sin and place it at the throne of His feet. Only then can you be victorious in the battle over it. 

Jars of Clay and the Power of Christ

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

In this scripture the writer (Paul) compares the ‘gospel minister’ to a piece of pottery. ‘We have this treasure in jars of clay’. This treasure is the good news about Christ. Jars of clay actually means “earthenware vessels”. (Greek word: “ostrakinois skeuesin”) The noun “skeuos” refers to a vessel serving a specific purpose, such as a cup, jar, pot or pan. When used of people it often carries the sense of ‘implement’ or ‘instrument’. So to be God’s vessel is to be his instrument in carrying out a specific purpose, the purpose in this case is sharing the gospel.

Paul goes on to say that this all-surpassing power is from God and not us. The adjective “all-surpassing power” focuses on the extraordinary quality or extend or something, that ‘something’ being the power of Christ. The Greek word “dynamis” is a term from the word ‘dynamite’. I love this quote that I found in a commentary on biblegateway.com. The author said “Paul is saying that the gospel is not merely a message that confronts the mind but an explosive power that turns a person’s life upside down!” (IVP New Testament Commentaries)

In one of my classes here at NHCC I was able to take a class going verse by verse through Corinthians. I learned that the book we know of 2 Corinthians is not the second letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, it’s actually the fourth and last letter. With this being the last letter Paul is stressing the power of Christ, the importance of his Word, and the power of what Christ has ordained all of us to do; share the gospel and be a gospel minister. We may be pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down but Paul gives us hope. We won’t be crushed, we won’t be in despair, we won’t be abandoned, and we won’t be destroyed.

Paul stood strong and maintained that God’s power is able to make itself known through hardships and distress. The church at Corinth believed that the power of Christ was only seen in miracles, signs and wonders. Paul is showing the church at Corinth otherwise. The power of Christ is not seeing through wonders it is seen in dire straits in a believer’s life, through our hardships and distress. So how do we live on? Not by our own strength but Christ’s. In our weakness Christ’s power is revealed. Find Christ’s strength and power in your weakness, for it is an explosive power that can turn your life upside down if you let it. 

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

By Faith

“We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

We live by faith, not by sight. Another well-known translation is we walk by faith, not by sight. This scripture is in fact my ultimate life scripture. Throughout my life I have had to walk a live by having faith in Christ. Even now I am having to walk this out. Most of you know that I am graduating college in December. The week of me leaving to come back to school for my last semester, I got a call from the financial aid office here at the school.

They began to tell me that there was a problem with something on my application which has stalled the awarding of my aid for this semester. Up until the day before I was planning to leave I didn’t know I was coming back. So here I am, two weeks into my last semester and still no financial aid and no job. Scary? Absolutely. My flesh is screaming at me to be freaking out and stressed out about it. But my spirit, the spirit of God within me is allowing me to focus on being confident in the Lord, having faith and knowing He is going to provide all my needs.

He’s done so in the past, why would he stop now? Even though our circumstances may appear hopeless and our feelings may tell us to give up, we mustn’t allow ourselves to be limited by the visible world. Instead, we need to put our trust in God who never changes. If I can encourage you in any way today it would be to tell you to have faith in what Christ is capable of doing in your life. Never limit God! He is capable to do more than you can imagine. Never put God in a box, He has the ability to surprise you. Whatever uncertainties you are dealing with right now, remember that Christ conquered the grave and rose again, he can conquer and show up in your circumstance. 

Faith is never easy, but it’s worth it. 

Guard Your Wellspring

"Above all else, guard your HEART for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

For many years I have been given this scripture and in my own life it has become one of my "life" scriptures. You may wonder why this is so important. The word "guard" is defined as 'watch over in order to protect and or control'. "Wellspring" is defined as 'an original and bountiful source of something'. So this scripture states that we need to watch over and protect the bountiful source of our very being.

Our hearts are the core of our being. When we are sad, when we are heartbroken it interrupts our lives in a huge way. You've probably heard studies of people who have died from a broken heart. Why? Your heart is the wellspring of who you are. Without it, we don't live. If it's broken, literally needing an operation of sorts, or metaphorically after someone hurt you deeply, it affects us, it interrupts life as we know it. Which is why Christ stresses how important it is for us to guard it.

Don't put your heart out there in a nonchalant way, like it's no big deal. This is something I've had to learn myself. People say I wear my heart on my sleeve, this could be dangerous because you open yourself up to be more vulnerable and your heart unprotected. I've had to train myself to open up to only certain people, people who have proven to me that my heart is safe in their hands. To the other people it's okay to open up just don't bear your soul to them because they haven't earned your trust to where you can be transparent. Be very careful in choosing who those people you open up to are.

When it comes to the opposite sex, don't give your heart away too quickly, or without concern. I've made this mistake more than once and I've learned this the hard way. No guy or girl is worth the pain and heartache you will experience if you don't guard your heart. I can't stress enough how important this is! Be mindful and always stand guard over the wellspring of your life. Jeremiah 17:9 says 'The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.' This scripture shows us the severity of why guarding your heart is so important. You need to be able to discern your heart from your flesh. It's a battle, which is why you need to be on your guard.

Guard it, protect it, watch over it.

Where There is Comfort, Endurance Follows

“If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:6-7

The part of this scripture that catches my attention is when Paul says ‘it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings’. This hits me on a personal level. For those that have known me for a while know that my family has been going through a long eight year battle with my father’s disability. The company has stopped the only income we had three or four times which resulted in us losing three homes, having to move states and for a time be homeless. Long story short my family has suffered a lot of the same suffering., especially my Dad. He suffers physically every single day, and probably will for the rest of his life.

But all these sufferings haven’t beat us. We are all still standing and enduring. Next month the battle will be over and the reprieve is finally coming. Through all of this Christ has comforted us through the battle and because of that we as a family have patiently endured. There have been times of weakness where hope was dim, but we endured. We shared in sufferings and in comfort. Now Paul was talking to the church at Corinth and he was talking about them sharing in his sufferings and everything, but I still think this can be applied to our own lives when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Chris gives us patient endurance and his hope for us is firm because as we share in sufferings, we share in the comfort we find in Him.

You might be going through your own storm right now. Be encouraged that though you may suffer, you can find your comfort in Christ and HE will give you the endurance to make it to the end. You can endure! There is light at the end of the tunnel! Never lose hope, be comforted and ENDURE! 

Wisdom Leads To Victory

“For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” 
Proverbs 2:6-8

In my journey this semester the Lord has challenged me to start praying more. With that in mind and with certain things going on right now, praying for wisdom is first on my list. The Lord has the ability to instill wisdom within us and before we speak or act, that wisdom will be full of knowledge and understanding. In this world we will be faced with many situations where we will need that wisdom as we deal with and handle relationships, work related issues and even in our ministry. Ministry always involves people and how you treat and or counsel them. You need to have that wisdom in order to speak exhortation into their lives and also understanding.

As a leader people will come to you expecting you to know how to help them. You need to know that you yourself won’t have all the answers, but Christ does. Praying to Him for the wisdom and understanding to speak into a situation or into someone’s life is not only smart, but the best way to go about it. We cannot do it on our own, we need to rely on Christ to give us that wisdom, and in that wisdom we can have victory as Christ guards our course as we remain ever so faithful to Him. Never be afraid to admit you don’t have all the answers, but we are so lucky to have an omniscient (all knowing) Lord that gives us the ultimate wisdom in our own lives and for others.

Remember… IT’S OKAY TO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!!! There would be no room for faith if we knew everything. Our reliance on Christ would be diminished if we knew everything about life. Leave it up to Christ, he is more capable to handle it than we are. *wink* 

Patience Ends in Blessing

“Blessed is she who Believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:45

So I feel as though I’m gonna be real with you guys. It may not come as a surprise to some, but lately I have been battling a lot of emotions when it comes to my future. My future that I will share with that man that God has for me. It has been a struggle especially recently as I see my closest friends, finding relationships and getting married, starting a brand new journey. Being 26 years old and seeing all these younger friends of mine starting that journey hasn’t been easy to deal with. I am full of joy for every one of them but I can’t help but wonder… why not me? Why am I having to wait longer? What am I doing wrong, if I am doing something wrong? I’ve cried out to the Lord I don’t know how many times in deep confusion.

In those times the Lord speaks to me in deep, heart piercing ways. God is omnipotent (able to do anything, unlimited power) so I know He is fully capable. One thing He has been speaking to me is patience. Which for people that know me know that is a HUGE task to give me. I am neither patient nor able to relinquish control to anyone. But out of all the people to hand over the biggest desire and dream why not Christ. Who is able to do anything. It’s been especially bad the past month. It started at a wedding, my sister-in-law’s sister got married and their grandmother came over to me, and asked me “When are you getting married honey?” *SHOOT ME NOW* I answered graciously, “Oh well, hopefully soon,” her response “Oh are you seeing someone” *SERIOUSLY JUST SHOOT ME* my response while picking myself up off the floor was “No, that’s what I’m hoping to find soon.” She just smiled and patted my hand saying, “Oh, it will happen dear. Just wait.” Welcome to my life, I swear it was right out of a movie.

In that moment I knew she was right. Just wait dear, it’ll happen. I felt as though God was giving me that little reminder through their grandma, to instill that truth inside me once again. Waiting and patience is NEVER easy, it’s always the hardest thing, especially when you’re waiting for something you desire most. But, as the saying goes “Good things come to those who wait,” this scripture says just that, but in a bigger sense because it’s GOD the Lord of capability that says, “You will be blessed and desires fulfilled because I have promised you that.” If you’re like me and are having to wait for something that seems like it’s taking the longest time ever, be encouraged. God promises blessing and fulfillment. He will come through in His timing and it will be far more amazing than you ever imagined or expected. Stay strong, keeping going, never settle for anything less than the best, God’s best for your life. You will never regret having the patience and determination to wait. I’ve seen it happen for close friends and family, I know He is Omnipotent. Fully powerful and able to anything. Trust Him, it’s coming.