Tag: Christianity

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!

God’s Glory in the Heavens

Psalm 19:1 ESV, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

God certainly knew what He was doing when He placed the sun, moon, and stars in our view. At any given moment, we can look up and catch a glimpse of His glory. The heavens above are constant reminders of His majesty and power.

Our lives are in the hands of the God who spoke the beauty of the heavens into existence. The Creator who holds our Earth in place also holds our hand. His vivid imagination and never ending creativity are ours to enjoy.

The magnificent design of the heavens, is a reassurance to us, that He has complete control over our lives. Since the beginning of time, He has kept everything in perfect order.

It’s true that no eye has seen and no ear has heard what God has in store for those of us who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Since the heavens declare His glory, how much more should we?

Declare the glory of our God!

God Will Refresh and Satisfy

Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV),“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Life doesn’t usually give us many opportunities to rest. We have to care for ourselves by carving out time for relaxation. If we don’t we will burn out, feel weary and faint. We live in a society that will make us feel guilty if we are not constantly on the go, doing this or doing that.

There is always something else we can do to keep busy, but is it worth it? It’s beneficial at times to choose quality over quantity. Sometimes less is more. Time is valuable and once it’s wasted, we can’t get it back.

God promises to refresh and satisfy us when we are tired. He will replenish our strength not just physically but also spiritually, mentally and emotionally. We’re up against a lot on a daily basis. Life comes at us from all different directions. But God is always by our side. He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5).

Be sure to take time out for yourself and allow God to refresh you and satisfy your soul.

Be refreshed in His presence