My Calling

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. " (Ephesians 4:1-3)

I believe that I have 3 main callings in life right now.

Number one is to be a godly wife to my husband. Drew is a man who works hard in his 'job' to not only provide for us, but to reach the teens in Mount Airy. My calling is to support him, love him, and help him however I can.

Number two is to a mama that my Peyton (and soon to be Sadie) will see Jesus through. They are small children and I must protect and guide them to see Jesus' love as all they need in life. They will be around all sorts of people in life. I want them to know that not only are they (Peyton and Sadie) loved, but those around them are just as loved by our Jesus.

Number three is a youth leader. I have the privilege of spending time with amazing middle and high-schoolers and hopefully helping them to understand Jesus and how amazing He is, a little better.

My question to myself today is am I walking worthy of these callings? Am I striving to be humble, gentle, loving and patient with Drew, Peyton, Sadie, and the teens, so that they don't see me, but instead see our Savior. Honestly many days I am not. I'm impatient and short, and selfish, but am thankfully today is a new day and Jesus has wiped my slate clean!

The wife I long to be

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they,without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.

when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - 

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands.

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

1 Peter 3:1-6

My God is Here

I have been reading through the book of Psalms... backwards. Don't ask me why because I couldn't tell ya. It isn't every day by any means, but whenever I read a Psalm during my time with God, I leave where I left off, from the end to the beginning. I reached chapter 66 and was amazed. These verses are my life. These are what I cling to, because I KNOW them to be true about how awesome my God is. (The name awesome is even used in this chapter for the name of God, which I think is very accurate to how I feel about Him.)

MY GOD IS HOLY. HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD, AND ALL WILL BOW TO HIM ONE DAY.

Through the greatness of Your power your enemies shall submit themselves to you.

HE HOLDS ME IN HIS HANDS. NOTHING CAN SEPARATE ME FROM THAT. HE WILL PROTECT.

Bless our God... [who] does not allow our feet to be moved.

IN THIS WORLD WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES, WHETHER FROM OUR OWN SELFISHNESS OR THROUGH SATAN'S ATTACK. GOD WILL BRING US THROUGH.

We went through fire and through water, But you brought us out to rich fulfillment.

I AM ALIVE SO THAT I CAN MAKE HIM KNOWN TO OTHERS. DECLARE HIS NAME BY MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND WHAT I KNOW TO BE TRUE ABOUT HIM.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.

HE HEARS ME. HE CARES FOR ME. HE PICKS ME UP WHEN I FALL, AND LOVES ME THE SAME.... CONSTANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY.

Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me! 

* The word of God is in italics.

God is worth serving, even through seemingly impossible situations

I have been challenged in many areas of my life lately and as a result the topic of serving Christ without wavering no matter what that means has been constantly coming to mind. 

I am called to follow Him. period. Whether times are going amazingly well, or times seem to be taking 'wrong turns' constantly, I am to be a bond-servant to Christ. I am to deny my self ( my personal motives, desires, and comforts) in order that God gets 100% of the glory in every situation I go through.

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bond servant of Christ. * Galatians 1:10

 I was studying John last semester and the very last chapter talks about a personal conversation Jesus and Peter have. After Jesus basically telling Peter that his life will be hard and he will die because of his witness for Jesus, Peter looks over at John and says what about him?? Peter is concerned about what other people's life is going to look at. He wants to know if John is going to have to die for Jesus. Jesus simply says "What is it to you? YOU follow me!" Ouch. how many times is that us? How often do we look at what another person's calling is? We look as see how God is using them and wonder why God isn't using us in that way. That is not the point of being a Christ follower. We each have a unique plan mapped out for our lives that only God knows. We are to simply follow Him, no matter where that might lead!

It is hard to stand up for what you know is right. It is difficult to be disliked and disrespected and hated. Paul was beaten, mocked, stoned, shipwrecked. He knew that following Jesus wasn't going to be easy. but he knew....that God's love is worth fighting for.

"In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!" - John 16

Drew and I were driving home for Winston-Salem last weekend while listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Love" CD. There is a song called "Moment made for worshipping." Some of the lyrics include....

"every moment that we live and breathe, this is a moment made for worshiping. From the rising of the sun, to the setting of the sun. The name of the Lord, is worthy to be praised."

Question is, are we finding reason to worship God every second of every day? He deserves that no matter what comes our way!

Letting God Do Great Things

Life is just plain hard sometimes. I know it and you know it. It's a fact. What do you do when YOUR life gets hard? I don't necessarily mean when the worst possible thing happens. I mean when you are let down, or hurt, or discouraged, or terrified, etc..

Freak out? Cry? Throw things? Pray? Talk to Friends? Reflect on Scripture? Scream in a Pillow?

 
Rejoice in the Lord, Always. Again I will say it, REJOICE! 

 

 God's ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts greater than our thoughts

‎"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

For with God, nothing is impossible!

You who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again... and comfort me on every side.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 
He satisfies the longing soul.

My Jesus takes care of me, and He desperately wants to take care of each of you. He is faithful and our comfort. I am continually hearing of struggles people are going through. Some are life altering, some ruin a week, some things are just uncomfortable. No matter what each one of us are going through, we are all going through junk. BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT ALONE. He is here, right beside me; and He knows what's best for my life. All I have to do is be faithful and trust His guidance. Sounds easy, sometimes it's not.

It's all about you, Jesus.

I cling to your testimonies... for YOU shall enlarge my heart!
Psalm 119:31&32

I spread my hands to You; my soul longs for you like a thirsty land.
Psalm 143:6

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8&9

He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true!
John 3:33

Love Letter

But my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
My soul has no pleasure in him!
But we are not of those that shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Hebrews 10:38 & 39

Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; Unit my heart to fear your name
Psalm 86:11

A piece of a love letter

I have decided to start sharing a piece of a love letter I have received every Sunday. You guys can come up with a cool name for it if you want. I am NOT creative and therefore the only thing that came to mind is 'Scripture Sunday". Dumb. Anyway, I have realized that although I want to share what God has been teaching me, sometimes life gets in the way. I CAN spend 2 minutes typing a verse that has been close to my heart that week. Not only is it good to absorb all God has given me, but it's also accountability to make sure I am getting excited about Him and sharing that. YES, God's word is my love letter, but it's also yours. Sometimes, I feel sick at how I could not get THRILLED to read over it daily!! Anywho, I may not go into detail as to why these verses are important. But they are, to each of us.

Psalm 107:28-31
Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven, Oh that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Fear

Whenever someone talks about being afraid, I have a hard time relating to them. If they were to say they were worried, I would know exactly what they meant but I never really thought about being scared. I guess one could confuse the two. Yes, movies can scare me, but I'm not afraid to be home alone, not afraid of the dark or of robbers.

As I have been thinking about fear more lately I've decided that is exactly what I am in some areas of my life, AFRAID. I'm afraid of losing someone close to me through death, especially Drew. He is my best friend and I can honestly say I DO NOT know what I would do without him. We minister together, play games together, share memories, cry, laugh, struggle, and grow, together. God has abundantly blessed me to have him, and it would be terrifying to lose him. I have some other fears, things I struggle with that I never really took that to mean I was afraid of them. I might share those with you one day, but today is not that day.

This weekend was about having peace and a hope. Again, something I thought I was full of, until I related my struggles to fear. The key verse was:

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you don't think that is comforting, I don't know what could. I can have hope, no matter how bad circumstances could be, as long as my focus is the POWER God has and not the WEAKNESS I possess.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, O Israel: I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God.... Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life."

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

With promises like these, how can we live any way but peaceful, no matter how great or horrible our circumstances are??? That is my prayer, not just for today but for my life. Even though nothing horrible (by the world's standards) is going on close to me, those times will come. I pray that I will always come out stronger because I allow Christ to use me, instead of falling back in fear.

Isaiah 43:1-4; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 1 Peter 2:9; 5:6&7