Category: Inspiration

Is It A Facade?

Proverbs 17:1 NIV, “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”

When I read this verse, it reminded me right away that things can appear to be one way on the surface, but can actually be something else in reality. People can appear to have it all and be on top of the world, but on the inside they are discontent, hurt, and empty.

We live in a world where it’s easy for people to put up a facade, but their reality is less than pleasant. Not only is it easy to put up a facade, but doing so is also celebrated. The more perfect a persons life appears on the outside, the more accepted they feel. But then, they must work tirelessly to maintain that illusion of happiness, so they can continue to feel accepted.

This verse tells us that a lifestyle of peace is better than one that invites strife. Sometimes less is in fact more. Regardless of what we have or don’t have, our main goal should always be to honor God, and keep His commandments.

If our focus is not primarily on the Lord, things will get out of line. Our focus will then be on ourselves, other people, and the ongoing pursuit of material things, which will ultimately lead to pain.

I pray that as Christians, our main focus will be on having a lifestyle of love and worship toward the Lord, as we pursue the purpose He has for us. May we also share His unconditional love and acceptance with those around us, because true acceptance is found in Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

Just Smile

Thanks Maggie @ Dreaming of Guatemala for this reminder that a simple smile can do so much! Happy Saturday everyone!

#MySaturdayShare

Sunshine Blogger Award – 7

Thank you Stu @ Something To Stu Over for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I appreciate you and the wonderful impact you have on our blogging community. 👊🏼👊🏼

Check out Stu’s blog where as his tagline states, you can read about his “thoughts on life, love, marriage and yes…sex.” (I think it’s cool 😎 that Stu doesn’t mind digging into the tough topics.) Enjoy! 👍🏼😁

RULES:🤗

1. Use the sunshine blogger award logo

2. Give thanks to the blogger that nominated you

3. Answer the 11 questions given to you

4. Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions

Here Stu’s Questions For Me: 🤗

1. What, in your opinion, is the most majestic of all God’s creation?

I’m gonna go with the universe. It contains so many fascinating and mind blowing things. Galaxies, blackholes, planets, comets, the list goes on. I always say, it’s a glimpse into the majesty of God.

Interesting Fact per Cool Cosmos: Earth is located in the universe in the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies. A supercluster is a group of galaxies held together by gravity. Within this supercluster we are in a smaller group of galaxies called the Local Group. Earth is in the second largest galaxy of the Local Group – a galaxy called the Milky Way.

2. Are you a read the book type of person or a wait for the movie type?

Read the book.

3. What topic do you feel is the least discussed but the one most needed to be discussed?

In the church I’d say sexual sin. I’ve heard multiple Pastors say that much of the counseling they do with families/individuals revolves around destruction that has been caused by some type of sexual sin.

4. Do you prefer hanging out with a group of friends around a fire or chilling alone by a lake?

Most of the time I would prefer the lake, occasionally the friends around the fire.

5. What inspires you to keep blogging?

God does, along with the desire He has given me to help others.

6. Do you believe the world is going to hell in a hand basket? Why?

Yeah I think so, because things are getting worse everyday. I constantly here people say, “What in the world is happening??”

7. If you are a Christian, would you be willing to write your testimony as a blog post?

This is something I have thought about. Although I share stories from my life in different posts, I haven’t done one testimony post yet. I’m sure I eventually will.

8. If you have written your testimony would you be so kind as to send the link?

N/A

9. What is the current color of your kitchen?

Black, Silver, and white with yellow accents.

10. What is your dream car?

Range Rover

11. Where did the phrase “by the skin of my teeth” originate?

I wasn’t sure so I googled it.

By the skin of your teeth

To my nominees:

Participation is optional, but I want to give you a huge THANK YOU for your blog 🥰

Questions to my nominees:

1. What, in your opinion, is the most majestic of all God’s creation?

2. What topic do you feel is the least discussed but the one most needed to be discussed?

3. What is your dream car?

4. What are your hobbies?

5. Do you have children?

6. Do you have pets?

7. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

8. Are you an introvert or extrovert?

9. What is an important lesson you’ve learned in life?

10. If you found out today that you just inherited 10 million dollars, after all the legalities are taken care of, what would you do next?

11. What is your favorite food?

My nominees:

Imago Dei

Joy Cottage

Jesusluvsall

PlantingseedsinGodsgrowinggarden

Looking To God

Psst…God Loves You

Sandmoos

Travel N Write

Write This On Your Heart

wordpress13730faith2faith

UntanglingLifesWeb

Take Heart As You Wait

Psalm 27:14 NLT, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”

I can remember a time when I never wanted to wait on the Lord. When I would pray, I wanted immediate answers and immediate comfort from whatever difficulty I was facing. I didn’t care much about God’s purposes. I didn’t take time to think about the fact that He had to work in my heart, and or the hearts of other people before the answers to certain prayers could come. When we pray, we should wait expectantly like the Psalmist did…

Psalm 5:3 NIV, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Although there are times answers come quickly, there are also times when we must wait. I’ve come to understand that part of being committed to Jesus Christ means that we will often have to wait. He freely gives us His love, strength, and peace so that we can stand firm while we wait.

Being willing to wait on Him, is a testimony of our faith and trust in Him. It shows that we honor Him, and realize that His understanding far outweighs our own. He is eternal, therefore He can see way beyond the surface of the issues we face.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to learn to wait patiently. Not because we have all the answers, but because we know our God is the Answer. He is perfect and He is just.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Be It Unto Me

Luke 1:38 KJB, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

I always admire this response from Mary when the angel visited her to let her know she would carry and deliver Jesus, the Savior of the world. It reminds me that when the Lord calls us to a task, we should be willing and ready to say, “be it unto me according to thy word”. We never know what type of impact our actions will have on the world. That’s why obedience to the Lord is vital.

Jesus truly impacted mankind by dying for the sins of the world, and Mary was a vessel God used to help bring His great plan to past. Her decision to be faithful to God was not without hardships, because she endured many. It’s the same for us. Making a decision to do God’s will, will often bring hardships and persecution, Jesus knew this firsthand. So He encouraged us in John 16:33 by telling us to have peace, because He has overcome the troubles of this world.

Whatever happens in this life, God knows the plans He has for us. He will fill our hearts with joy as we wait on and trust in Him. Every new day we face is in God’s hands. Like Mary, we can find peace in our Lord because we know He will always provide for us. We can safely place our hope in Him and say, “be it unto me according to thy word.”

God Hears Our Prayers

Psalm 17:6 NIV, “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.”

I didn’t always have a prayer life, even as a Christian. But over the last fifteen years or so, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I have really learned to develop my prayer life. Doing so has made a real difference in me and in my life. Prayer has also helped me to walk in love towards others. Prayer puts things in perspective for me, because it is a way of putting God first. It is also a reminder of His constant presence with me.

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. Having the opportunity to talk to Him anytime of day or night about anything is an honor and a privilege. Jesus made it possible for us to be able to come into the presence of God, and get to know Him intimately.

Prayer allows us to cast our cares upon God. It allows us to ask Him for what we need. Even more importantly, it allows us to hear His voice as He speaks to us about our lives. When we pray, God promises to give us His peace in exchange for our requests.

We may not always understand right away how God is working in lives, but through prayer, we can rest knowing He hears us, and will always do what is best for us.

Staying True To Commitments

1 Kings 8:61 NIV, “And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

Yesterday at church the pastor discussed the importance of being committed to Christ. We should be committed to obeying His Word by applying it to our daily lives. We should also represent Christ by staying true to the commitments we make to other people. We should make a habit of following through when we give our word that we will do something for someone. Being committed is a reflection of who we are in Christ.

A couple of years ago, I signed up at church to host a small six week bible study in my home. Although initially nine people signed up, there were about four who were committed to attending every week. I was grateful for those who followed through and faithfully showed up. I remember feeling disappointed about the ones who didn’t come.

About half way through the study, a tenth person signed up. However, she never showed up and never responded to my emails. On week six, the final week, only three people showed up. So I wasn’t able to say my final goodbyes or give them all the little gifts I had for them. I’ve always considered myself to be pretty committed, however this experience reinforced the importance of commitment in my heart.

Sometimes in life things happen beyond our control and we have to change our plans, and that’s understandable. But in general as Christians, we should be people that others can rely on to be honest and loyal, dependable and trustworthy.

I’m asking God to help me to be a woman of my word who follows through on her commitments, so that I will represent Jesus well. His light should shine through our actions, because people are watching us even when we don’t think they are.