Recognizing God's Will

David and Jonathan had one of the most celebrated friendships in the Bible. Yet, the two of them had just cause to hate each other. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, the man who was literally doing everything in his power to hunt down and kill David. David stood as the one man who would take over King Saul's throne - a throne that by right belonged to Jonathan.

However the two men were closer than brothers. They loved and looked out for one another. They recognized the honor and grace that each of them had inside and respected one another. They didn't allow outside circumstances or inward envy or selfishness to taint their views of the other. Because they were able to remain humble, they were able to experience a friendship that was beyond comparison.

Both of them respected the Lord in their friendship. David refused kill King Saul because He respected how the Lord had chosen Saul to be King. Even when he had every reason to take out his enemy, David chose to honor the Lord's will.

Jonathan respected God's call on David's life. He did not become bitter or envious when he realized that David would one day reign as king over Israel. Instead, Jonathan honored the Lord and did his best to protect the future king.

Do you recognize and respect the will of God for those around you? When you see other people, are you looking with the eyes of the spirit? Or, are you looking at things in a selfish or envious light?

We must make strides to always remain humble and remember that God's will far outweighs our own. We must not look with resentment on someone whom God has placed in a position, even when they may be abusing their place. We can't become bitter when God chooses someone else to take on a task that we might have thought belonged to ourselves.

In all things we must recognize God's omniscient control. In all things we must remind ourselves that His will is what's best. With everything, we should choose to follow after Him because it will all work together for our good in the long run.

Verse of the Day: At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD’s name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” 1 Samuel 20:42a

Check It Out!

Just wanted to share that I'm now in rotation to write blog posts for EmpowerMoments, a wonderful Christian blog that's mission is to empower women everywhere. Check out my first post for their site HERE!

Wednesday's Word: Beautiful Beings

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Psalm 139:13-18

Have you ever sat and thought about how intricate you are as a created being? From the way your blood pumps through your body to the way you balance on two feet to the way your eyes take in the world... You are truly amazing!

God took time to create your being. He fashioned you with love and care. He didn't just give you a body, either. He gave you life! He plotted out a special purpose and destiny for you. He formulated a plan to allow you to be the best you that you could be.

Even as the Lord took care of you before you even made your appearance on this planet, He is always with you. He knows what you are facing, and He understands what you are going through. Today, take some time to give Him praise as the Creator of your fabulous self! Give Him honor for honoring you with His full attention. Send Him some love for how He has taken care of you.

Amazing Grace!

Right now I'm taking an apologetics class, and we are studying other religions. One common denominator with other religions or cults is the fact that they have to earn their salvation. In order to please their god, they have to do something. It could be dressing a certain way, eating a particular diet, saying a certain number of prayers, visiting a specific city... the list is endless! But, they all have to work to gain their god's favor.

What I love about the true and living God is that He realized that there was nothing that man could do to earn His favor... and He chose to create a way for man to be close to Him anyway. God knew no matter how hard we tried to be free from sin on our own, we would always fail. God knew that only a pure sacrifice would cleanse us, and He knew the only One who would be worthy to take on the task.

God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. He sent His Son to bear our sins on the cross. His Son received our punishment of death and separation from God. All so that we could have the chance to be with Him for all eternity.

Jesus' atoning sacrifice gave us grace. We have God's grace! We don't have to work, we don't have to earn it, we don't have to try to prove our worthiness. All we have to do is accept Jesus as Lord. All we have to do is receive His gift of eternal life. Simple acceptance of Jesus' precious gift grants us the grace to be in right relationship with the true and living God.

That's it.

That's amazing grace!

Verse of the Day: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God... Ephesians 2:8

Getting Up

This morning it was hard for me to get up out the bed. I hate it when I wake up and still feel tired. So I laid there. I laid there and thought about all the things I have to complete today. My mind started whizzing, and I wanted to go back further under my covers.

I took a break from analyzing my upcoming day and took a moment to pray. I prayed about my day. I prayed for strength. I prayed for the Lord's help.

And then I got up.

What's facing you today? What is piling up on your plate already and making your head spin? What is trying to keep you from moving forward?

Take a moment to pray. Ask the Lord for strength. Ask the Lord for help. And then get up and keep moving.

God is always there for you. He will lead you, guide you, strengthen and keep you. You're not facing anything alone. You don't have to do it all on your own. The Lord is there, ready and willing to help you. Whether your problems seem great or small, God wants to help carry you through it all.

Allow Him to keep you on today.

Verse of the Day: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Uniqueness All Around

Last night my church had a great discussion on the soul during Bible Study. It was really interesting and I learned some things. Plus, the topic was so intriguing, I'm going to be doing some further study on the soul on my own.

Nights like yesterday always remind me of why God created all of us with different thought patterns, ways of seeing the world, and personalities. None of us is the same. All of us have something unique and different to offer that will help better those around us.

The Bible says that there is safety in the company of good counsel. (Proverbs 11:14) Also, friends help to "sharpen" each other in their daily walk. (Proverbs 27:17) Because of the effects we can have on each other, the Word also cautions us to not be "unequally yoked" with those who do not believe in Christ.

So, who is sharpening you? What have you learned from those around you? Are you sharing your unique insights and viewpoints with the world?

Today, enjoy the uniqueness of those around you. Remember God created each one of us especially for a specific reason and purpose. Don't hide you're exclusive qualities, share them with the world!

Verse of the Day: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

Wednesday's Word: Greatness

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

“What is your request?” he asked.

They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:35-45 (NLT)

In order to be great in God's Kingdom, Jesus told us that we have to be a servant. In order to be at the "top", we have to be willing to serve everyone at the "bottom". Jesus Himself did not come for His own glory or His own gain, He came to serve the world and give up His own life to save others.

It is the servant's heart that gets God's attention. Those people who have the humility to seek the needs of others above their own are the ones who God wants taking care of His people. The people who are willing to pour out of their own selves to nourish those around them are the one's who catch God's eye.

Are you like James and John? Are you too busy looking for glory that you're missing the larger mission?

Remember the role of our Savior. He came to serve. If you want to be great in God's Kingdom, you have to be willing to do the same.

Searching for the Lost

I hate losing things.

I'm naturally a pretty neat person, and everything I have has it's own "place". So, when I can't find something, it drives me nuts. I can't sit still or move on with things until I find it. I take time and thoroughly look for it. Every crevice, hiding spot, and space is looked at over and again until I find what I'm looking for, and I have to keep looking no matter how long it takes until the item is found.

It reminds me of Jesus' parable about the woman who lost a coin. Even though she still had nine other silver coins, she diligently looked until she found the one she lost.

Jesus was using this parable as an analogy of the great value God places on the lives of the lost. The Lord has a great desire to recover those that are lost. He is searching out their hearts and knows those that are ready to receive Him.

Yet, how many of us are looking out for lost souls? How many of us are diligently going after those who do not know the God we have found? Do we go after the lost with vigor? Or do we even care that they are lost?

You can help bring joy into the Kingdom of Heaven by going after lost souls. Every single person that comes to Christ brings celebration to heaven. Don't you want to have a part in that party?

It doesn't matter how lost a person may seem. God still values them and wants them to be a part of His kingdom. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes diligence. Yes, it requires focus and fortitude. But, the payoff is someone receiving eternal life! Today, allow yourself to be used in searching out the lost. Who knows how many souls can be added to the kingdom of God because of your witness?

Verse of the Day: Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:8-10

Thanksgiving Friday!

Today, I wanted to share the big and little things that I'm grateful for. Being grateful for all things is important. Plus, when you consider the small things, it makes you realize how much you really have to be thankful for in life!

So this week I'm thankful for love. Yes, there was a lot of it floating around in the air yesterday.

I'm thankful for the simple joys of life: help from a friend, someone saying thank you, chocolate and hot tea at the end of the day...

I'm grateful for the healing process of time.

God has blessed me with an amazing gift, and that gift is making some room for me! I'm thankful that I am losing insecurity and moving forward in what He has created me to do.

I appreciate getting a four day weekend this week! I definitely need it after what's been going on at the school recently. Praise God for rest!

I'm thankful that it's been an incredibly mild winter in Chicago again. I'll take a cold day over a below zero day anytime.

I'm thankful for my iPad. Yes. My iPad.

Finally, I'm thankful for my mom and sister. They're so strong and encouraging! I love that I get to be related to them.

Verse of the Day: Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, [and] meditate on thee in the night watches. Psalm 63:3-6

Wednesday's Word: Loving One Another

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 

We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil,

and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life.

But a person who has no love is still dead.

Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart.

And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.

So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

Our actions will show that we belong to the truth,

so we will be confident when we stand before God.

1 John 3:11-19 (NLT)

 

Need I add anything more?

 

As believers, we know what real love is. We know what it means to be absolved of guilt and shame. We know the joy of being forgiven. We know the blessing of having our sins forgotten. All of this was made possible for us through Jesus' love and sacrifice.

 

Since we know the real love of Jesus, we should show that love to those around us. How can we claim to know God's love and not show it to the people we see every day?

 

It is through our actions, our behavior, our daily lives that the light of Christ's love in us will be shown. Are we reflecting that we belong to Him? Can we stand confident before the Lord?

 

Today, let's remember to walk in the real love of Christ.

It's Not Just About You

God wants us to bear fruit not just for our own benefit, but to benefit others as well. As we go about our lives exuding godly characteristics other people will take notice.


When people have the fruit of the spirit, it’s hard to miss them. They stick out because it is not normal in this world. Those people who aren’t used to the things of God are more often than not going to be drawn to those people.

People are hard-wired to respond to the love. They enjoy being treated well. They want to feel respected. When we choose to live out the Lord’s principles and bear fruit, people will naturally be drawn to us.

That’s the great thing about fruit trees: You can feed hundreds of people off of one tree. As long as that tree stays healthy, people can come back over and over again and be nourished. With trees that bear the fruit of the spirit, continual spiritual food will birth those traits in others. Someone who keeps eating on God’s goodness is much more prone to become a bearer of His fruit themselves.

How many people do you ‘nourish’ as you go about your day? Do folks leave your presence full of the spirit? Or, are you leaving those around you with a bad taste in their mouths? What are you feeding those who cross your path?

No matter how brief the encounter, how shallow the relationship, you always leave an impression. As a bearer of the fruit of the spirit, yours can be an everlasting one. You don’t always have to share your testimony, quote a scripture, or even crack a Bible to be a witness for the Lord. Sometimes all it takes is a meek spirit, a loving gesture, or the manifestation of another one of God’s spiritual fruits to turn someone to Christ.

Today, consider how you interact with those around you – both strangers and those you know. Do your actions bring life and strength to others, or are you causing tension, strife, and confusion in your wake? Are your words seasoned with salt that effects change? Are you lifting up Christ in your lifestyle?

The world is looking for an answer to their pain. They’re searching for a reason to smile in the face of adversity. They want to believe that their hope is not in vain. They want to know the reasons for it all.

Seeing an actual good person live with real joy, a loving heart, peace in the midst of chaos, gentle words, solid faith, a humble spirit, patience in trials, and self-control when others would just let go… They will definitely want to know that person’s secret.

You can be that person. You can set yourself up with the perfect opportunities to minister Christ.

Verse of the Day: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Joyful Every Day

This morning I woke up with a song of praise ringing in my spirit. It was pretty cool. I actually laid in my bed and let the song repeat a couple of times, so I could continue in praise.

Later on this morning, I had to follow up on something information I received this weekend, and the news I received wasn't so great. It totally knocked the wind out of my sails. My mood changed, and I started feeling a bit low.

BUT!! - I remembered how beautifully my day began, and I resolved to keep it on that level. I was not going to let anything ruin my day. I resolved to get back to joy.

So, I had to remind myself of who I am in Christ. I had to remind myself that the Lord is the One who fights my battles. I prayed a prayer of faith and left my problem with the Lord.

This morning I'm reminded of Paul who taught himself to be content in all situations. He faced the ridicule of people... the pressure of starting and stabilizing new churches in immensely hostile environments... prison cells... physical beatings... loneliness... But Paul learned that no matter where he was, God was with him.

Paul didn't let his circumstances dictate his mood. Can you imagine what might have happened if Paul focused on what he was going through? We might not have half of the New Testament that we do! Because Paul was able to focus on the Lord and not on his situation, he was able to overcome adversity and leave a legacy that has greatly impacted the Body of Christ.

The Christ within is our strength. The joy that is found in the Lord gives us strength when we are weak. Today, don't allow what is going on around you to make you miss out on the ever-present joy of the Lord. Stay strong! Stay joyful! Remember who you are in Christ!

Verse of the Day: ...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:11b-13

Freedom Friday!

This beautiful, amazingly wonderful Friday I decided to give God praise for the freedom found in Him!

Because of Jesus, we are free from sin, guilt and shame! He paid the debt for it all! There is nothing that can keep us in bondage. Nothing that can keep us depressed. Nothing that can come and accuse, condemn, or belittle us. Because of Jesus, we are free! We are made righteous. We are covered by grace. We are now living an eternal life where we will get to be in heavenly bliss after our earthly journey.

Thank You, Jesus, for our freedom from sin!

Since I have a relationship with my Heavenly Father, I have discovered my purpose and destiny. I know why I was created. I know what I'm here to do. I am free from self-doubt, free from low self-esteem, free from trying to be anything other than my best self. I may forget that freedom sometimes, but today I am remembering, embracing, and loving the fact that I know who I am in Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, for freedom from self-doubt!

I am also free from worrying about pleasing others. I have found full acceptance, love, and affirmation in the Lord. If people don't like me or don't care for my ways, I don't have to adjust my behavior to fit their desires. As long as God is pleased, I'm doing just fine.

Thanks, God, for freedom from others' opinions.

What are you thankful to be free from today? What has your relationship with the Lord freed you from? Make sure you give God some praise for it this morning!

Verse of the Day: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

All You Need

This morning I got frustrated. I mean really frustrated. I could feel the tension building up in my shoulders and I felt my mood turning darker.

I caught myself and said a prayer. I laid everything on the altar, gave my frustrations over to the Lord, asked Him to fight my battle - and left it all there with Him.

I could feel the weight lift and my emotions calm down. The Lord gave me peace, and I was able to move on with my day. I'm so glad we have the blessing of prayer!

Something so simple as having an honest, open conversation with the Lord can change so much! Trusting Him to be Who He has said He is can make all the difference. He has told us in His Word that He is our source of peace, joy, comfort, strength, and love. When we find ourselves in need of those things, we should have the faith to come to the Lord and receive those gifts from Him.

Far too often we turn to other people, food, shopping, other vices, the internet, or anything else we can find for the comfort we seek. God has already told us the foolproof way to get what we need! All we have to do is turn to Him with open hearts in complete surrender.

God will not berate us. He won't ignore us. He won't leave us hanging. He will fill us up with all that we need. He will embrace us with His love.

Today, when you find yourself in need, turn to the One Who can completely satisfy all your needs. Allow the Lord to be your Everything.

Verse of the Day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

Wednesday's Word: Firm Foundation

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,

like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house,

it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish,

like a person who builds a house on sand.

When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house,

it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)

In this example Jesus states that when we follow His instructions, we will be on solid footing. Through floods and beating winds we will be safe and secure. However, if we hear and don't follow Jesus' teaching, the storms of life will come and devastate our dwelling places.

What instructions have you heard that you aren't following? What teachings from God's Word have you heard that you're not listening to?

As you follow God's Word, you're building up your inner man. When you endeavor to walk according to Jesus' example, you're positioning yourself to life a life of love. You're training your mind to follow after the Father's will. You're honing your spiritual ears to know the voice of God.

When you prepare yourself in this way, you're ready to face whatever obstacles that come your direction. When the critics come, you'll have a ready loving response. When sorrow knocks, you'll know where to find your comfort. If doubt and despair come, you will be found standing strong in your faith in God.

Make sure you are wisely building on the solid rock of Jesus' teachings. It's one thing to hear His Word... it's another to obey His Word.

Can't Get Enough!

On Sunday, my church's worship team sung a song about wanting more of God. That song has been ringing in my heart since! God is so wonderful and amazing! The closer I get to Him, the more I want to get closer to Him!

There is a line in the song that says: So I lay down my life to make room for you. In order to get more of the Lord, we have to be willing to set ourselves aside. Our selfish wants, our fleshly desires, and our own pursuits have all got to fall in the face of our Father. We have to trust in God's love for us and that He knows what is best for us, can give us what we need, and can take us to better places than we can ever dream of.

When Jesus called His disciples, they literally walked away from everything. They left their families, their jobs, their homes... all to follow Christ. And their willingness to give it all up took them to places of greatness in God. Are you willing to give it all up to reach your great place in the Lord?

Today, put aside yourself and make room for more of the Lord in your life. Put down the phone, turn off the blogs, shut off the television, and get in God's presence. Sneak away and wrap yourself in personal time with the Lord.

Got a few minutes? Get some worship time right now and watch this:

Verse of the Day: For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10

Loving Me!

For the month of January I took a leave of absence from social media. No Twitter, no Facebook, no Instagram... I didn't even check up on my favorite blogs.

Those 31 days were awesome!

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy social media. I like staying in touch and seeing what's going on in the lives of my friends, associates, and the celebrities I follow. But, honestly, sometimes scrolling through news feeds can be... depressing.

God has blessed me to be in touch with some amazing people, and logging on every day and seeing the latest engagement status, news of the launch of someone's business, pictures of my people enjoying fabulous vacations, and reading about how certain folks I know are becoming the news can be a bit tiring... and intimidating... and daunting. Especially when I know I'm not where I want to be in my life quite yet.

So, taking a break from all of that allowed me to focus on me. I got to enjoy my own sphere free of influence from outside sources. Instead of thinking about how much so-and-so is doing, I was able to focus on what I'm supposed to be doing. Instead of wondering how this person was able to get so far ahead, I was able to plan out my next few steps.

I was able to narrow my focus. I was able to see the greatness inside of me and not allow myself to belittle it just because someone else I know is doing their thing with a different flair.

My sabbatical may be a bit longer as a result of this.

Today, praise God for the greatness that He's placed on the inside of YOU. Embrace your uniqueness. Savor the place you're in right now. Enjoy the gifts, attributes, qualities, quirks, and personality that the Lord has blessed you with.

What do you do to stay focused? How do you keep your destiny walk free from distractions?  

Verse of the Day: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Thanksgiving Friday!

Today I'm thankful to be back online. You really don't realize how much technology has taken over until you can't utilize it. And, my phone was not working out the way it need it to. Thanks, Lord, for innovation!

I'm also thankful for creativity this week. I love it when I'm in fasting mode because my creative juices go into overdrive. God has shown me what I need to be doing, and I am getting into action mode! Thank You, Lord, for Your creativity and thank You for the drive to go and get it done!

Finally, I'm thankful for peace. In the midst of so many things, it can be very easy to worry and fret. Yet the Lord has granted us His peace. Someone said that worrying will get nothing done at the end of the day. And they are absolutely right. There's nothing wrong with being concerned, but crossing over into worry brings it's own problems. Thank You, Father, for the ability to rest in your peace!

Have a great day, everyone!

Verse of the Day: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue... 2 Peter 1:2, 3