Keep Climbing Higher

Colossians 1:11 NLT, “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,”

I admit there have been many times that I have questioned how God was working in my life. I have had days where I worried over rather or not He would answer my prayers. I have often let fear creep in and cause me to doubt His provision.

Worry, doubt, and fear have always worked together to try to keep us from enjoying God’s peace. I’ve discovered many times that the things I allow to steal my peace, have already been worked out by God. Reminiscing about His past goodness, will help motivate us to walk by faith right now in the present.

Even if we make mistakes along the way while trying to follow the will of God, He will still take good care of us. Being quick to repent keeps us in close fellowship with Him. When our hearts are devoted to Him, He will work out what is best for us.

His grace and mercy extend far beyond our difficulties. As we persevere through the challenges we face, we are getting stronger in Christ Jesus, and helping to make a difference in the lives of others. If we make Him a priority, He will give us strength to keep climbing higher.

Be Still And Know

Being still is not usually something that is heavily promoted nowadays. We have to be intentional about deciding to be still. It’s such a privilege to be able to let go and trust God. He will take care of our needs.

Psalm 46:10 NIV, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This verse always gives me comfort, because it calls us to rest and let God be God. It encourages us to just exhale, and relinquish our concerns and troubles to Him.

Things get hectic at times. We won’t always have everything figured out. We won’t always know why certain things happen or why some people do the things they do. But we don’t have to.

We can just be still in the midst of it all and know that He is God. Since He is God, we don’t have to worry. His love will cover us and protect us, and His eyes will faithfully watch over us day and night.

Take time out each day to be still, and listen as God speaks to your heart.

Thankful! 🎉🎉🎉

I’m so thankful to be a part of the blogging community! Thank you so much for supporting Drawing Closer To Christ. ❤️

His Discipline Speaks Love

Hebrews 12:6 NLT, “For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Discipline rarely feels good, but it’s good for us. God loves us too much to let us continue on in sin, which will eventually lead to death if we don’t repent (James 1:15). He wants us to lead fruitful lives that are full of purpose. His desire is for us to become all that He created us to be.

I’m thankful for the times God disciplined me for my sinful actions. Experiencing the consequences of my wrong choices, helped me to understand the importance of making right godly choices. Through Christ, we have the freedom and the power, to make choices that will bring life, instead of death, to ourselves and others.

God disciplines us because of His love for us. However He is merciful. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He knows our hearts and He knows our struggles. He knows the best way to work in our lives to get us to where He wants us to be.

When we have hearts that are willing to trust God and obey Him, then we know He will be patient with us as we mature in Christ. It’s a joy to know, that as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we are making progress.

Remaining Thankful

Psalm 136:1 NIV, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Life is better when we have hearts that are thankful. Even on our most difficult days, we can be thankful knowing that God is there with us, since He promised He’d never leave us alone.

It’s normal at times to feel frustrated or weary. However we can still look to Him with thanksgiving because He understands our feelings. He will give us peace of mind, and strengthen us in our weakness. We can pray and ask God to help us to remain thankful, so that we can see our circumstances from His perspective.

When we hope in Him, He will often let us know in simple and unexpected ways that He is with us. There is no burden we have that the Master can’t carry for us. Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Cast your cares upon Jesus!

Sunshine Blogger Award – 4

Thank you to my big brother in Christ, Matt at Jesusluvsall, for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I admire Matt’s perseverance to keep sharing the love of Christ with people from all around the world regardless of his own challenges with chronic illness. His writings inspire me to keep going!

Visit his blog at: Jesusluvsall

The Sunshine Blogger Award is peer recognition for bloggers who inspire readers by promoting positivity and bringing joy.

Matt’s questions to me:

1- What is your blog about?

My blog is about sharing my faith in Jesus with others to help encourage them in their Christian walk. ✝️

2- Why did you start blogging?

It’s a great way to connect with others from different places, and a way to share about Jesus and my life experiences. 👩🏽‍🔧👩‍🌾👳🏻‍♂️👩🏿‍🎨

3- Do you have a hobby? If so please describe it.

I like reading, walking, writing, going to the movies, and visiting new vegan restaurants with my daughter.🚶🏿‍♀️📚 🍛

4- Have you traveled to other countries? Which ones and which one is your favorite?

Only South Korea and Canada. They were equally nice experiences. 🇰🇷 🇨🇦

5- What is your favorite movie and why?

Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn. It’s a very funny movie that makes me laugh. 😂

6- What is your favorite season and why?

Spring. It’s always so refreshing to see the flowers blooming and the weather getting better. Especially when I was living in states that actually have winter (unlike Florida). 🌺🍃

7- What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas. It’s a beautiful time of year with all the lights and other decorations. And most importantly to remember the birth of Jesus. 🎄

8- Do you prefer morning or evening and why?

Mornings. It’s always a blessing to see that God has brought me a new day. Seeing the new day is a reminder of His faithfulness. ☀️🌞

9- What kind of music do you like?

Mostly Praise and worship and gospel. Occasionally some pop and R&B. 🎶

10- What song or songs inspire you?

Many songs inspire me, but recently I’ve been listening to CeCe Winans, “One in the Same” over and over again. 🎤

Here’s the song: One in the Same

11- If you and I had dinner together would it be in your home or at a restaurant and what kind of food?

Probably at a Restaurant, either Mexican or Italian, but I’m flexible lol. 🍕🌮

I nominate the following bloggers. Please answer my questions below. ❤️🌞

Quiet Moments With God

God’s Love

Musings Of A Wanderer

Inspired Grisele

Contemplations

Top Education Hub

Living With Grace

Faith2Faith-RickyRacer42

Big Sky Buckeye

New Lune

My 11 questions to you. Thanks for answering! 😁

1. What’s an important lesson you’ve learned in life?

2. What is a good book you’ve read?

3. What is your favorite characteristic about yourself?

4. What are your hobbies?

5. Why did you start blogging?

6. What topics, if any, have you wanted to write about but haven’t because you feel your “fan base” would not approve?

7. Are you married or single, kids or no kids?

8. What are you passionate about and why?

9. What is your favorite food?

10. Do you prefer a plane ride or a road trip?

11. If you could wake up in the morning in a different place, where would that place be?

Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to him/her.

• Answer the 11 questions provided by the blogger who nominated you.

• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.

• Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their blog posts.

• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post.

Thanks for participating (if you choose to), and Inspiring me with your blogs. ENJOY! 🤹‍♀️

Awesome Blogger Award

Thank you to my sister in Christ Eileen for nominating me for The Awesome Blogger Award. I am truly grateful that you thought of me. Your writings always inspire me and help me to draw closer to Christ.

You can read Eileen’s writings at:

Quiet Moments With God

Rules:

– Thank the blogger who nominated you.

– Tag your post with #awesomebloggeraward.

– Answer the questions given to you.

– Nominate and inform at least 5 bloggers.

– Give them 10 new questions to answer.

Eileen’s Questions for me:

1. Why did you start writing a blog?

To help inspire others in their walk with Christ. Also to connect with other people. 💻 👩🏿‍🦳👱🏼‍♂️🧕🏼👲🏻👨🏿‍⚕️👱🏽‍♀️

2. Do you have a favorite Scripture?

Yes, it’s always been John 3:16 ever since I was little. This is also the first verse I memorized.📖

3. Famous singer?

Shirley Caesar 🎼

4. Favorite time of the year?

Spring. Beautiful flowers and a refreshing time of year. Things come back to life after winter. 🌞🌹🌸🌼

5.What blessings can you share?

If I could share something that would bless people, it would be to let them know they have a unique purpose in Christ. They don’t have to compete with others, in Him they can be themselves and follow His plans for their lives.❤️

6. Any pets in your family?

No. But we used to have a dog named Toi years ago. She was a Papillon. 🐶

7. Any favorite TV program?

I don’t watch many TV shows. The TV is usually off during the week. Right now I just watch movies on Netflix on the weekends. 📺

8. Do you prefer to write a letter, text someone,call someone, or spend the day with them.

I like all of these, it just depends on the situation. 📱 ✍️

9. If you can talk face to face with Christ what would you ask Him?

What areas does He want me to improve on most as a Christian. 💒

10. If you only had one day more to live here on earth what would you do?

Probably spend time with family and post one final blog to share about salvation. ✝️

My nominees:

Sandmoos

My Thought Bubble

Social Impactor

The Little Miss Encourager

Ime’s Diaries

My questions for you:

1. If you only had one day more to live here on earth what would you do?

2. If you can talk face to face with Christ what would you ask Him?

3. Do you have a favorite Scripture?

4. What has been your favorite vacation?

5. Who is Your favorite actor or actress?

6. Do you prefer a plane ride or a road trip?

7. What’s your favorite color?

8. Why did you start your blog?

9. What’s your favorite food?

10. Who do you admire most?

Thanks for participating (if you choose to), and Inspiring me with your blogs. 🌺