Tag: love

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.”

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.”

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.

He’s Still God

James 4:10 NIV, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Not too long ago I was talking to the Lord about some issues I was having, and I heard Him speak these words to my heart, “I’m still God.” When I heard God speak those words to me, I immediately felt peace. No matter what we may go through, He is still God. When our hearts are humbled before Him, it opens the door for Him to be God in our lives. He has promised to lift us up when we are intentional about remaining humble before Him.

Photo by: homethods.com

This picture reminds me of the absolute beauty that is found in having humility before God. The same God who commands the oceans to be still, is the same God who calms the storms in our lives. It’s not all about the words we speak to God, or the things we do for God, but instead it’s all about who He is. It’s about what He says and what He does.

Humility allows us to experience who God is, and the blessings He wants to give us. Remain humble before God, and remember that no matter what happens…

He’s Still God.

Hidden Safely With Christ

Colossians 3:2-3 NIV, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

I’ve been meditating on these verses over the last couple of days. They remind me that my priority should be on eternal things. Earthly things should not take precedence over the things that matter most to the Lord.

It can definitely be a challenge trying to stay focused on what matters most to the Lord. The responsibilities we have in our personal lives, along with the allure of the world, make it difficult to set our minds on things above. It’s like we’re in a constant game of tug of war. Although we want to do what is right, we sometimes choose what is easy instead. Following Jesus is not usually an easy path. Staying committed to Him takes perseverance.

Placing our focus on Jesus, will help us to have a better understanding of what it means to diligently seek God. We will see life and people from His perspective. There will be many impostors throughout our journey, but when our minds are set on Him, we won’t be fooled by a counterfeit.

Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. The covering that the Father has over us, will protect us. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. Don’t be discouraged. When things get tough, look up to Jesus! He is an ever present help in times of trouble.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22-23 KJB, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Every morning we can wake up and start a new day knowing that the Lord’s mercy and compassion are with us. He understands what we are going through. The failures we may have had yesterday, do not impact the love He has for us today. He is faithful to us and His love for us endures through all things.

The love and faithfulness that our Heavenly Father has toward us, is the secure foundation that we can stand on. The mercy and compassion that He shows to us, helps to keep us safe from guilt and condemnation. He understands our weaknesses.

Today is a new day. Lean on the love of God. Be filled with joy knowing that our Lord is faithful to us. He will never leave our side.