Trusting the Love of Jesus Christ, One Day at a Time. Psalm 13:5 NIV, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Staying committed to Christ is not an easy way to live. There are temptations and many other distractions that try to come against us. Yesterday I remembered this post I made the early part of last year, and I wanted to share it. Have a blessed Tuesday!
One of the things that I love most about the Lord is that He meets us where we are. He understands everything we are going through. Even when we don’t understand ourselves or our situation, He does. Every step we take is a part of His greater, magnificent plan for our lives. Even when we may feel He is distant, He is near. He knows exactly what we need to get through each new day He allows us to see.
Psalm 145:18 NIV, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
He doesn’t give up on us, or the purpose He has for us. We’ll go through times where our faith may be weaker than other times. We’ll have to endure unexpected tests and overcome trials. However we’ll also learn many valuable lessons, and experience victories along the way. Regardless of what we go through, our Lord meets us where we are. His grace will always be sufficient to carry us through.
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. ❤️🌞
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! 🤹♀️
Thank you Mrs. Holliman at GOD’S LOVE for nominating me for The Sunshine Blogger Award. When I stop by your blog, I encounter the truth and love of God’s Word. Thank you for being an inspiration.
Please check out her blog! Here’s one of her most recent post: Living Your Best Life with God’s Promises
Rules:
1. Use the sunshine blogger award logo
2. Give thanks to the blogger that nominated you
3. Answer the 11 questions that you’ve been asked
4. Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions
Question For Me:
1.What place would you like to visit? Rome, Italy 🇮🇹
2.Who is the most important person in your life? My relationship with Jesus Christ is always first. 🙏🏿
3.What is the last place you traveled to and why? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for my uncle’s funeral. ✈️
4.What good did GOD bring into your life? He has brought a lot of good, but learning to understand His love for me has been life changing. ❤️
5.What is your favorite color? Green 🌿
6.What got you to start your blog? I decided to start as a way to encourage others by sharing about God’s faithfulness. 🖥
7.What is your favorite food? Pepperoni Pizza and French Fries. Love them! 🍕🍟
8.Do you like to play sports or watch sports? I don’t play any sports, but I enjoy watching baseball. I’ve been to several professional baseball games. New York Yankees are #1!! ⚾️
9.How do you feel about what the world became to be? The world is becoming worse everyday. It’s becoming more like it’s father, Satan. The Bible said things would get bad in the last days. On the other hand, us Christians should strive to become more like God our Father. We should spread the truth and love of Jesus Christ. He died for the sins of the world. 🌎
10.Do you like being in the snow? If yes why? No I don’t like the snow. I lived in Michigan, outside of Detroit for 11 years. I don’t miss those snowy, brutally cold winters at all. ⛄️
11.What beach do you like to visit? I’m not really a big beach person, but living in Florida I’ve been to many. I grew up in Virginia, so Virginia Beach was close by. I don’t really have a favorite. 🏝
***I’m nominating 11 of my most recent connections. 😊 Participation is optional, but thanks for your blogs!! I appreciate your writings. ❤️ My questions are below.
1. https://joycottage.blog/2019/05/23/i-thought-it-was-just-a-memory-on-facebook/
2. https://godinspiredart.wordpress.com/2019/02/28/im-back-well-not-just-yet/
3. https://inspiredgrisele.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/whats-your-we/
4. https://imeellasblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/im-back/
5. https://wonderblogz.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/our-dreams/
6. https://husnayot.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/pen-and-paper-sketches-from-my-past-pt2-2/
7. https://fayannswearing.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength/
8. https://florenceezekafor.com/2019/05/25/how-my-life-got-messed-up/
9. https://briannaheaden.com/2019/04/26/fear/
10. https://missionloved.com/2019/05/13/pygmy-chiefs-village-transformed/
11. https://hhhigh.wordpress.com/2019/05/23/weeks-after-weeks/
My questions for you:
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. What is one of your favorite memories?
11. If you could wake up in the morning in a different place, where would that place be?
Isaiah 41:13 NIV, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Throughout the day yesterday, this thought kept coming to my mind, “God is calling us out.” I kept thinking of Peter when Jesus called him out of the boat to come and meet Him on the water. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. However, the moment he took his focus off of Jesus, and placed it on the wind that was blowing, he lost faith and began to sink.
As Christians, God is calling us out. He is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him, so that we can learn more about Him. He is calling us out of our comfort zones, so that we can fulfill the purpose He has for us. He wants to use us in ways we never imagined, to accomplish the work He has called us to do.
“Getting out of the boat” takes courage. But we will never know what God has for us, if we are not willing to walk by faith and trust Him. Fear will always try to sabotage the work God has for us to do. Fear of failure, and fear of the unknown, will both attempt to keep us in our comfort zones. Fear of what others think of us, will try to stop us from boldly proclaiming who we are Christ. But on the other side of our fears, are the meaningful and fulfilling lives that God planned for us.
God is calling us out. He promised that He will hold our hand and help us to move forward in Him. If God has been speaking to your heart, and calling you out to go deeper with Him, don’t be afraid to get out of the boat and go. He will strengthen you to answer the call He has on your life. Stay focused on Jesus and take one step at a time. He will walk with you every step of the way, but first you must get out of the boat.
2 Corinthians 6:17 NIV, “Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord…
Jeremiah 1:5 NIV, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Before Jeremiah was born, God knew him and had already established a purpose for him.
It blows my mind that God has always known us. Even before we were being carried in our mothers womb, He carried us in His heart. There are no unplanned pregnancies in God’s eyes. He has patiently waited, and still patiently waits day by day to see His plans for us come to past.
I have had times when I have asked myself, “Is God Waiting On Me?” God knows that we are less than perfect and that our understanding is limited. He knows that we struggle with insecurities and fears, so He patiently waits with compassion. He knows that as He waits, we are becoming who He created us to be.
Isaiah 30:18 NIV, “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”
There should be a longing in our hearts for God. We should want to know Him more because the more we know Him, the more we will love Him. The more we love Him, the more we will want to serve Him. Serving God wholeheartedly, while using the gifts He has given us is what will make our lives meaningful. We are blessed when we long for God.
Matthew 19:30 reads, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
Years ago I was traveling with my mom and daughter along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. We were on our way to our family reunion which was being held in Philadelphia. At some point, we came to a stretch of road on the turnpike that was lined with dead trees. The strange thing about it, was that although the trees on the front row were all dead, immediately behind them, as far as the eye could see, were beautiful, vibrant, healthy green trees. However, these lifeless trees on the front row, stood very tall and erect almost as if they possessed an inner confidence. Because of the green background behind them created by the other trees, they appeared to stand out even more. Odd as it may seem, even though these trees were dead, they were still very much alive. They had a mysterious beauty radiating from them that drew attention to their presence.
As I continued to observe this peculiar scene, God brought to my mind these words, “The first will be last and the last will be first.” I have no idea what natural events may have occurred that caused those trees to end up like they were. But to me they represent many people who may not measure up to the world’s idea of beauty. But because they follow God’s ways He has elevated them to a certain level. Like those trees, you may never know what someone has endured to get to where they are, but because they did endure, God has shown them favor. Never underestimate what God is doing in someone’s life just because things appear a certain way on the outside. As Christians, we should have an inner beauty that radiates from our hearts and changes the world around us. People should be able to sense a distinct difference and want to know more about us and our lifestyles. Ultimately who we are should lead people to want to know more about the God we serve.
Those of us who call Jesus Savior, need to take a stand and be all that God has called us to be for the sake of the cross and the glory of the One who died there. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, then I will receive you.”
If those trees could speak, I know the stories about life on the “Penna” Turnpike would be unforgettable. The good news is that you and I can speak. We can speak life to those around us. Not only with our words, but through our actions. We must let the life we live speak for us. Ask God to show you how you can “come out from among them and be separate.” When you are serving God, even if you think you are last, in God’s eyes you are first. We need to make sure that wherever we are standing, is the place God really wants us to be. When we are where we should be, we can then be effective and make a true difference.
Father,
Please let the beauty we have in you through your Holy Spirit shine brightly so that those around us may be inspired and changed. Help us not to get caught up in things that do not matter but instead to focus on what matters most to you.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Drawing Closer to Christ 