2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
It doesn’t come naturally to boast about our weaknesses, because weakness isn’t usually associated with strength. But in Christ, it is. The hardships we face, and the temptations we must resist, are opportunities for the power of Christ to illuminate our lives. His power working in us, allows us to accomplish things that we cannot accomplish on our own.
Photo by: Flo Maderebner
Through Him, we are able to remain faithful and work to fulfill the purposes He has for us. His power brings life to situations that seem dead. When we are weary, He makes us strong. In Christ, it’s okay to come to the end of ourselves, because where our strength ends, His strength begins. His grace is sufficient for our every need.
I am grateful for all of your prayers, support and encouragement. Thanks for taking the time to read, like, comment on, and share my posts. It’s a privilege to be a part of this extraordinary blogging community.
I pray for you, my followers, that God would strengthen you and keep you as you follow His plans for your life. Thank you for being with me on this journey of Drawing Closer to Christ. 🧡🎉🧡🎉🧡
Thank you Queen Karen @ danceinmyshoes and Jacquie @ Joy Cottage for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I am thankful that you both thought of me, and I am continuously blessed by your blogs. You are both a bright light in our blogging community. Thank you ❤️
Karen’s posts show her dedication to Jesus, and her desire to inspire others. She always makes you feel so welcome when you stop by her blog, and she blesses you with meaningful conversation. The writings she shares are very helpful and encouraging.
Jacquie’s posts draw you into deeper fellowship with Jesus. Her intimacy with Him shines through her words. Her devotionals and poems are a true expression of God’s love and will uplift you. Her writings help strengthen your faith.
The Rules:
Thank the blogger who nominated you.
Share 11 facts about yourself.
Answer the up to 11 questions the blogger
asked you.
Nominate up to 11 bloggers and make them happy!
Make up to 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
Notify your up to 11 nominees.
11 Facts About Me
1. I have 2 sisters.
2. I have 3 nephews and 1 niece.
3. My favorite season is spring.
4. I spent 1 month in Korea.
5. I don’t know how to swim.
6. I spent 3 years in the Army.
7. I love to go for walks.
8. All of my family members call me Keesha (my middle name is LaKeesha).
9. My first car was a Pontiac Lemans.
10. I’m 5’4.
11. I have 1 daughter.
Karen’s questions for me:
1. What is the fondest memory of your childhood?
I loved watching Scooby-Doo and Leave It To Beaver.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
Praise and Worship
3. If you can visit three countries for free, what would they be?
Italy: to visit Rome has always been my dream. Kenya: I have friends that went on a mission trip to Kenya and loved it (but then again maybe Nigeria since Florence @ Fiez told me awhile back that I would be welcome at her house for dinner😊). Israel: I heard it feels amazing to walk where Jesus walked.
4. What is your all time favorite movie?
Private Benjamin
5. If you had to depend on one form of transportation for a year, what would you choose? (Car, plane, bus or bicycle)
Car
6. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
John 3:16 NIV, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This was the first verse I memorized as a child. It reminds me of God’s love and salvation.
7. What is a book that you have read that has changed your perspective on life?
The Five Love Languages
8. If you can write a book about your life, what will you call it?
Break of Dawn
9. Are you a morning or evening person?
Morning
10. What are three things that you love about yourself and three things that you need to work on?
I love that I’m patient, calm, and kind. I need to work on not procrastinating, exercising more, getting to bed on time.
11. Who is your role model and why? My mom. She is a person of integrity who follows Christ.
Jacquie’s question’s for me:
1. For you, what is the most important character trait(s) in a person?
Honesty, respectfulness , thoughtfulness
2. For what or whom are you thankful?
I’m thankful to be alive, and I’m thankful for anyone who has impacted my life in a positive way, especially Jesus.
3. What would constitute a really good day for you? It’s a good day when I make it back home safe and healthy after a long day. Especially if it’s Friday and I am eating some tasty pizza for dinner.
4. Who is one person that inspires you? Joyce Meyer
5. Do you have a method for working through “stuck” places in your life?
First I pray about the issue to ask God for wisdom to move forward. Then I start taking the necessary steps as I am able to.
6. If you could go/be anywhere, where would that be?
A vacation to San Francisco, CA
7. Have you heard any good testimonies lately? (Can include your own).
At church a few weeks ago, a family of Chinese immigrants told their testimony about how they came to the US and became Christians.
8. Is there an aspect of autumn that you appreciate
The beautiful colors.
9. What is your preferred style/genre of writing or reading?
Christianity
10. Is there a Scripture that resonates with you?
Lately Romans 8:28 NLT, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
11. Do you have someone in your life who makes you laugh?
I can’t think of just one person. I share laughs with different people at different times. Laughter is a blessing.
ToMy nominees, thanks for your blog. I look forward to reading your answers if you choose to participate. 🤗🌺
Psalm 120:1 NLT, “ I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.”
Yesterday I had brunch with a friend from church. During our conversation, we started discussing how it can be tough as a Christian when we pray continuously but don’t always understand how God is working in our lives.
We sometimes have questions or prayers that seem to go unanswered. She told me that she’s learning to just give all her concerns to the Lord, and trust that He is working all things together for her good (Romans 8:28). We both agreed that even though we don’t always have all the answers at the present time, we can look back and see how God has always been faithful. He’s always provided exactly what we need, when we need it. He’s never late.
Last night, I was going through some blog posts that I saved and came across this one from my big brother Matt @ Jesusluvsall: “When God Answers Prayer”. It reminds us that God never forgets us. He is our sovereign Lord, who is always on time with the answers we need. Be encouraged as you read it! And keep trusting God as you wait for answers!
About 10 years ago, I attended a women’s breakfast at church and they gave us the magnet you see in the picture. In the beginning I had it in my desk at work, but for the majority of the time it has been on my refrigerator. I woke up this morning with this verse on my mind. Our help comes from the Lord. We can lift up our eyes to Him everyday. He will perfect everything concerning us (Psalm 138:8).
Psalm 121:1-8 KJV, “1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.“
Today, I’m meditating on Paul’s prayer for spiritual growth in Ephesians 3:14-21. Enjoy the prayer and have a blessed day. He can do more than we can ask or think according to His power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 92:4 NIV, “For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.”
The goodness, mercy, kindness and love that God gives to us is a never ending spring of joy. He satisfies the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). In Him is everything we could ever need and more. God is a good Father who willingly provides for His children. He always has our best interest at heart.
I know that there are plenty of times in life where we may find ourselves wondering why God allows times of lack when His resources are never ending. We may wonder why He allows pain when He is the Great Healer. We may even question why He allows injustice to wreak havoc in the world around us, since He is the God of Justice.
I think it’s human to have questions. I also think God is big enough to handle our questions and feelings. He desires for us to be honest with Him, and freely share our hearts with Him. He doesn’t stop loving us, even during times where we struggle in our faith. He understands our weaknesses and has compassion on us.
Photo by: edwin josé vega ramos
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Paul struggled too. He went through ups and downs just like we do. He knew that regardless of what he had to endure, He could rely on the strength of Jesus to carry him through. We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t have to ignore all our feelings. We are precious to the Lord, and He invites us to cast all our cares on Him.
Through Jesus, we have the strength we need to accomplish all we have to. He is our Source. He makes us glad! Whether in plenty or in want, we can trust in Him to carry us through.
Drawing Closer to Christ 