Where Will You Look?

Proverbs 11:4 (ESV), “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”

Yesterday at church, my pastor taught on the parable of the rich fool, found in Luke chapter 12. During the sermon, he also showed a short clip of several famous, wealthy celebrities expressing what brings them happiness. As they spoke, they were all very adamant about the fact that money and fame did not bring them happiness.

One of the celebrities really stuck with me (she is a very famous singer), because she said she felt happiest when she was able to be herself, and express her creativity. She said being made to do things just for the sake of earning more money, made her sad.

Most of us don’t possess wealth and fame, but the world we live in encourages us to look everywhere for satisfaction except God. There are many so called “solutions” to the problems we face, but only One True Answer. Jesus Christ is that Answer. He has told us that He is the Way, the truth and the life. No one can get to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). That means wealth can not save us. Popularity can not save us. Even the good works we do can not save us. Our good works only point people to the One who can save them.

I love it when God speaks…

Luke 12:20-21 NLT, “20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for? 21 Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is what is most important. Wealth is good when used wisely, but it will one day pass away. We must avoid the temptation to let earthly things that will pass away, replace the solid foundation that we have in Christ.

My pastor summed up His message with this point, “when we have an abundance, we are to be generous and give to others.” Instead of giving, the rich fool decided to build bigger barns to store more stuff. It’s easy to look to money and “stuff” in search of happiness and security, but these things are not reliable.

We must look to Christ to fill our voids. He will satisfy our desires.

Psalm 145:16 NIV, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

Look to Jesus.

Sunshine Blogger Award – 2

Thank you Stuart for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I have been enjoying your post. They are very intentional and address a variety of issues which is very helpful. It’s inspiring that you don’t mind tackling the tough topics.

Check out Stu’s blog:

Something to Stu Over

Here are the rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you.

• Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.

• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.

• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award in your post/or on your blog.

Here are the questions for me:

1. What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten or should I say attempted to eat? Chitterlings

2. What is the hardest thing you have overcome? Lack of self confidence. I am still working this!

3. What is the one thing you have to have every day? A banana at breakfast

4. Why do you think it is so hard for most men to share their true feelings with the ones they love? Because men are usually taught to be “tough” and that includes not showing too many emotions.

5. If you are married, what do you treasure the most about your spouse?

If dating, what about the one you are seeing? If single, what are you looking for?

As a single person I am content and thankful I have had this time as a single to grow in Christ. I’m not really looking. If God wants me married He’ll send the right person. But He would have to have true godly character.

6. Where did the term, without using Google or any other search engine, by the skin of my teeth come from? I have no idea! I would need to google it. Lol.

7. What are you passionate about and why?

I am passionate about encouraging people, and helping them to know and understand that they are valuable in God’s eyes. They don’t have to compete with others because God has a special unique plan for each person.

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

I don’t necessarily think people would not approve but sometimes I think about racism. Living in South Florida it is so multi cultural (which is great) but there is much racial tension and other negative things to go along with the diversity. It gets tiring at times that people can’t just realize we are all human regardless of what country you came from.

9. Someone who has hurt you deeply in the past reaches out to you. They have done so to make ammends because the Lord told them to. Do you forgive or do you tell them to bugger off? I forgive them.

10. Now, let’s flip that question a little. The Lord tells you to reach out to someone you hurt in the past. Do you do so or do you ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit out of fear?

You do it! I have actually reached out to someone from my past before because I hurt them. I would just advise people to pray for God to give them the right timing to approach them and the right words to say. Timing is everything.

11. Oh gosh, you are running late for work, grab a quick cup of coffee, get dressed quickly, slip on a pair of shoes and jet. When you arrive at work people snicker when you walk in because you slipped on two different pairs of shoes. What do you do?

I laugh with them! This actually happened to my coworker some years ago. She laughed at herself. We all laughed with her. Lol

I am nominating the following for this award:

Lamar Gibbs

https://thoughtsofredemption.com/2019/04/04/nationalpoetrymonth/

You Are Awesome

https://hhhigh.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/i-wait-for-the-lord/

Silent Songs of Sonsnow

https://sonsnow.home.blog/2019/04/27/a-home/

Reflections of a storyteller

https://reflectionsofastoryteller.com/2019/04/16/a-heart-of-gratitude/

Michael Ogazie’s Blog

https://ogaziestheory.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/a-weekend-tip/

A Writer’s Touch

https://awriterstouchonline.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/a-weekend-tip/

Everything is Hack!

https://everythingishack.com/2019/05/01/the-problem-with-getting-experience-after-graduating/

Grace and Pink

https://graceandpink.home.blog/2019/04/07/epiphany/

Humanity Lives On

https://humanityliveson.home.blog/2019/05/01/time-too-is-money-give-just-that/

Rooted In Faith

https://rootedinfaith.blog/2019/04/12/20-the-sweet-fragrance-of-christ/

Saem’s Blog

https://samsparking.wordpress.com/2019/04/11/avail-able-to-be/

Here are my questions to you:

Stuart’s questions were great and very thought provoking so please answer the same 11 questions.

Remember participation is optional. But thanks for your blog. You are an inspiration to me! 🌺🌞

Sunshine Blogger Award – 1

Renee at Heart Tokens has nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thanks Renee! I really appreciate you for thinking of me. I am always encouraged and inspired when I read your posts. They are very honest and transparent, which is so helpful to me.

Check out Renee’s blog at:

Heart Tokens

Here are the rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you.

• Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.

• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.

• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award in your post/or on your blog.

Questions for me to answer:

1. Are you the type of person that has to check email during vacation? Yes

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Not 100% sure, but hopefully doing something where I can work more with people.

3. What is your biggest weakness? Procrastination

4. What is your best talent? I’m pretty good at listening to people.

5. Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Vegetable

6. Who inspires you the most? My mom

7. Are you super talkative? No.

8. What is the yummiest desert you’ve ever eaten? Sweet Potato Pie

9. Do you enjoy exercising? I enjoy walking

10. What book do you recommend everybody to read? I have read so many books, but anything you read by Joyce Meyer will be great. She is my favorite author.

11. What motivates you? Reading the Bible and writing.

I now nominate the following:

Anomalous Darlings

https://anomalousdarlings.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/not-a-fixer/

Danceinmyshoes

https://beautyinmylanguage.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/love-rejoices/

Preciousone

https://deandrahurst.com/2019/05/02/the-victim-mentality/

God’s Love

https://godscourage.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/god-is-my-strength/

Intheriver

https://intheriverblog.com/2019/04/01/women-are-to-be-silent-in-church/

Jyotichamp

https://championchinti.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/parents-understand-your-feelings/

Devotions of Grace

https://devotionsofgrace.home.blog/2019/05/02/the-key-to-happiness/

psst…God loves you

https://psstgodlovesyou.com/2019/04/14/when-i-dont-feel-it/

Mercifully Broken

https://mercifullybrokenblog.com/2019/04/27/its-here/

Mission Loved

https://missionloved.com/2019/04/11/healing-on-a-california-beach/

Reflections of a Storyteller

https://reflectionsofastoryteller.com/2019/04/16/a-heart-of-gratitude/

Here are my questions for you to answer:

1. If you could move to another country, where would you go?

2. Are you a morning person?

3. What is your favorite color?

4. Tell something about yourself you would want others to know?

5. Do you have a pet?

6. What is your favorite number?

7. What is your most memorable vacation?

8. What is your favorite memory?

9. What is your worst memory?

10. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

11. What do you like most about yourself?

Remember participation is optional. But thanks for your blog. You are an inspiration to me! 🌺🌞

Is Maintaining Hope a Struggle For You?

Proverbs 13:12 ESV, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Every time I read this verse, it makes me realize just how important it is for us to have hope. The Bible says that without hope, our hearts will become sick. Having hope is easiest when we feel things are progressing in our favor. But when things are bleak, maintaining a hopeful outlook can be a real challenge. I know for me, I sometimes wonder why God is taking so long. But I know I must remember that His ways are far beyond my understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).

It always feels good when what we are hoping for manifest. But what about when we’re hoping and hoping and hoping and we still don’t have answers? Should we give up on hope? Based on Romans 12:12, the answer is No.

Romans 12:12 NIV, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

We should joyfully keep on persisting in hope and be patient and prayerful, even when we don’t yet see the resolution that we are waiting for. When we place our hope in Christ, He will not disappoint us. Whatever happens in our lives, will be according to His perfect will.

Romans 5:5 NASB, “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

I love the words to this hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”, written in 1834 by Edward Mote…

“My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness hides His lovely face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil.”

Even on our darkest days, we still have the option to place our hope in Christ Jesus. Nothing is beyond His power. There are many stories in the Bible of those who persevered in hope to encourage us. But one of my favorites is in 1 Kings 17:8-24 about Elijah and the Widow.

Long story short, she and her son were planning to eat their last meal and die (talk about hard times). But when Elijah came along, she still mustered up enough hope and faith to follow the instructions He gave her from the Lord. This resulted in her having food for herself and her family. She never again ran out.

I pray God will strengthen you to keep hoping, keep praying, and keep believing.

I would love to hear about your experiences with maintaining hope in the comments.

A desire fulfilled is a tree of life

Forget The Past Press Toward Your Future

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT, “No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Our past can really beat us up. Constant reminders of past failures often trouble our minds. The consequences we face from wrong choices can make us feel bad.

The good news is that God’s grace is sufficient to carry us through (2 Corinthians 12:9). The race we are running for the cause of Christ, has rewards that are far greater than we can imagine, both now and in eternity. Our eternal home in heaven awaits us at the finish line.

We can of course learn valuable lessons from our past mistakes. But even more importantly, we can see the many times God has been faithful to us. He has rescued us and kept us safe, in spite of our mess ups.

It can be especially difficult to forget the past when we are still dealing with its consequences. However, we must choose to believe that God has a purpose in everything that we are going through. We are becoming stronger, more mature Christians as we overcome obstacles from past failures. God will use our past to accomplish good things in our future (Romans 8:28).

I pray God will help you as you move on from the past and press on into your future with Jesus Christ. Good things are ahead.

Press on in Jesus Christ

TRUST GOD When Fear Comes

Psalm 56:3 (NIV), “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Fear can alter the way we think and act. It can cause us to take our eyes off of God, and focus on whatever it is that is causing us to be fearful. There are so many reasons to be afraid, but when fear tries to consume us, we can choose to trust in God instead.

I like this verse because the Psalmist made a decision that every time He was afraid, he would trust God. He planned ahead so that he could be victorious over fear. That inspires me to do the same. I hope it inspires you too.

Life is forever changing and that alone can evoke feelings of fear and insecurity. Even when we think we have things under control, the unexpected can happen and quickly change the course of things. We should make plans for our lives, but we must trust God for the final outcome.

I pray that you will walk in confidence knowing that God will keep you safe. Whenever fear tries to trouble your heart, I pray that He will give you peace. Keep trusting in Him and find comfort in His love. He’s working things out for you.

TRUST GOD, when fear comes

Jesus Christ Never Changes

Hebrews 13:8 (CEV), “Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Jesus Christ is always the same. This is great comfort for us. The world around us is ever changing. People will often change, but Jesus never changes. His love and provision for us will never cease. He will never go back on His Word. He will forever remain true to His promises.

Regardless of our circumstances or how we feel, He will continue to be steadfast in who He is. When we are going through trials, it’s difficult to understand. We cannot see the end result as we are walking through our situation. However God already knows what is ahead. He will take care of us every day and give us what we need to endure.

Whatever you are facing, carry it to God in prayer. Stand on the mighty, unchanging name of Jesus! His name is above all names (Hebrews 2:9-10). Nothing is too hard for Him. He is good and will always do what is right for you.

Cling to Jesus! He is the Solid Rock that we can always depend on.

Jesus is the Solid Rock!