Not Enough Time?

Having a hard time getting into the word? Lately, I have been struggling with finding time to spend with the Lord. I am so busy, having to wake up early for school, having homework at night, doing chores, trying to have a social life, and wanting a few evenings to myself for down time. Even though these seem like really convincing reasons, I know that there are no good reasons why I can't make time for the Lord. Here I'm worrying about trying to fit God into my schedule, when instead I should be fitting my schedule around my alone time with Him. God should be my number one priority. Instead of us waking up to our phone sending text messages to our friends to say "good morning", we should be sending a prayer up to God. Talking with Him, starting our day off right. This sounds so easy to do, but we all seem to struggle with making time. I find myself doing this alot actually. But then I think of all the things Christ has done for me it's amazing. God has always been forgiving, loving, faithful, and he has never left my side, ever! God wants us to talk to him and praise him, and read his word. I want to encourage you all to spend time in the word. Talk with him, thank him, praise him, and most importantly love him and cherish the time your able to have with him. Because not everyone is able to have this opportunity!

The Green Eye Monster

Jealousy is so easy to have. And It's so easy to do. I hate it...because it in the long run it only makes things worse. Jealousy is an ugly trait to have. Jealousy says I want what you have so I'll do everything in my power to to find a way to get it for myself. But God talks alot about jealousy.  Genesis 37:4 states "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him." In this verse we see how jealousy can take over and control someones feelings and life. I think in today's society its so hard not be jealous over someone or something. In life we tend to be so caught up with what other people have or about the things they do. Like all of the sudden all we want to do is brag and show off what we own or how we look, sometimes hoping, and knowing that others will be jealous about you and your things. I know that there have been many times when I have felt this way, and it is an awful feeling. It becomes an obsession, always thinking about certain things you wished you had. It is not easy I know!  So my encouragement to you is that the next time you become jealous over something try to remember all the things God has already blessed you with. If you were to write a list of all that your thankful for, you will realize that whatever it is your jealous about is really very small compared to all of your blessings.

God's Plan

Ever feel like you have no idea what God wants you to do? You know that there a purpose for why you are here on earth., but you have no idea why? Well your purpose as a believer is to glorify God. Love Him and serve Him with all your heart. Well lately I know for me I have been wondering these same questions. I've been trying to figure out what kind of things I could be doing for the Lord, and also trying to stay focus on His path. Questions like, what do I want to be when I go to college, who will I marry, or even the smaller things too like, the friends that are placed in my life or even the little  miss understandings that come up one day. All these things are very important to me because these decisions play a huge role in my life. So whenever I'm scared or worried about my future and the plan God has for me,  I always think of this verse to help me. Jeremiah 29:11 states "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Genesis 3

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.  "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden of the cool of the day, and they hid from God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to man "where are you?" He answered i heard you in the garden and i was afraid because i was naked so i hid. and God said, who told you, you were naked? have you eaten from the fruit of the tree that I have commanded you not to eat from?" Genesis 3:1-11 When you think about it we are alot like Adam and Eve. We are always trying to cover up our sin, and hiding it from God. Adam and Eve were hiding from the Lord, an almighty, powerful, and all knowing God! Sometimes I find myself doing the same thing, with not coming to God with my problems or worries. Sin should not be taken lightly. Sin is something us Christians have to deal with everyday. As fallen human beings sin is in our flesh, but as Christians we should want to please and glorify God in all that we do. So how do we deal with our sin? Well Adam and Eve sinned and yes they had many consciences but God still loved and forgave them. We all deserve death, but because of God's love that he has for us he died on the cross and rose again so that we could spend eternity with Him. The devil is always going to try to tempt us and destroy and even distract our relationship with God...but if we keep our eyes focused on Him we can keep straight on his path!

Only One Prayer Away

Ever feel stressed during school, or with family and friends? Like your always one step away from breaking down? Well I've been reading a lot about worrying. My absolute favorite verse is Matthew 6:34 it states "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." This verse always helps me through all situations. Another thing i always have to remind myself is that God is just one prayer away! Whenever I have problems or I'm worried I know that I can pray to God and that He will never leave me. That He is there during good or bad times. I am so thankful and grateful for the Love God has for me. And I know that God is in control of everything. So when you are feeling worried or stressed, pray to God and let Him know how much you need Him. And remember that you can always talk to God anywhere, and whenever! :)

True Love

If you were to turn on music right now what is the first genre of music that comes to your mind? Most people would say
pop music. Pop love songs. Love songs that makes you feel special and wonderful inside. But do you ever feel like that
isn't enough...like your trying to find a love that will last forever, a love you can trust? There is only one love you can trust; that is God's love and His love he has for you! God's love is so much stronger and deeper than what the world holds, or what anyone else can give you. For Romans 8:38-39 states "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." The love that the world has to offer fades away, and never truly lasts! But God tells us in Isaiah 40:8 that "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." The definition of love in the dictionary is a strong affection towards someone. God's love for us is so much stronger than just an affection. John 3:16 states "For God so loved the world, that he gave he only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." As we see in John 3:16 God loved us so much that he died on the cross for all of our sins...just so we would be able to have a relationship and eternal life with Him! No one but His Son was even worthy enough to die for us. His love for us is definitely deeper than what anyone else can give us here on earth. So whenever you are feeling unaccepted remember that God's love for you is eeper and wider than any ocean!