A Loving Reminder: True Friendship

A Loving Reminder:

Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel. Proverbs 27:9 

My lovelies,

We should choose our close friends wisely. I have a close friend whom I don't have to pretend with. We are as transparent with each other as we can be. We are kindred spirits. We always point to God, holding each other accountable, even when the truth stings. Proverbs 27:6 says Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Because she and I know each other well, we are able to pray for each other with true intention.

Our sisterhood blossomed during a very dark time in my life. She brought God's light and love with her. God used her to draw me back to him at a moment when I started walking away. She is a sister that was born for a time of adversity.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

We all should have at least one friend whom we could be completely honest with, knowing that we will not be judged harshly, but instead have the Truth spoken to us lovingly. 

Father, I come before your throne with a grateful heart and full of praise. I thank you for the friend that You placed in my life, knowing that she will always point to you. I thank you that I have someone I can be fully transparent with knowing that she will not judge me, but lovingly speak Truth to me. Father, I pray that I too be that friend. Not only for her but for others as well. Father I ask that you appoint heavenly friendships for all of my lovelies. Friendships that are transparent and always speaking truth. Friendships that bring wise sincere counsel, but most important friendships that always point to you. In your precious and powerful name, Jesus, Amen! 

A Loving Reminder: Running The Race

A Loving Reminder: Running The Race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

My Lovelies, God has brought me to a place of understanding that all things that happen, wether good or bad have a set purpose. When things are going great and life is wonderful, it is easy to forget our main purpose. Our purpose to Fear God, and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13) and to share it with others. (Matthew 28:16-20)

Sometimes God allows us to be burdened by something great because we have lost sight of our duty as creations of God. It isn't until that struggle, that pain, that tragic moment that we come to know who Christ really is, learning to fix our eyes on Him. It is in these moments that we learn and begin to process God's Sovereignty. It is in this time where we come to understand God's grace, God's mercy. It is here where He begins to bring forth transformation in us. When we start to have joy and praise in the midst of these things, you begin to fulfill His purpose.

In All things, the good and the bad, let us keep our eyes fixed on our maker. The author and finisher of our faith. The Alpha and the Omega. Let us keep our eyes on the prize. Knowing that at the end there is Victory!

Jesus suffered the price of the cross that leads us to Victory. Despite what He had to endure, the beatings, the mockery. He knew the end was Victorious. We are not exempted from suffering. We are running a race and we must endure what comes our way, and be 'Christ like' always pointing to the Victory after the cross!

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! . . . (Revelation 2:8-9)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.....Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (Revelation 2:10)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:8 - 11

Father, I thank you for all things. For both the blessings and the afflictions allowed in my life. Your Word says that nothing will happen to me without you knowing it. (....But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)). I trust that All that comes my way serves a greater purpose. I trust that what the enemy intends to use to harm me You, God intended it all for good. (Genesis 50:20) I choose to remain focused on You my Creator, the Author and Finisher of my faith. And fixed on the Victory at the end! In Your Powerful name, Jesus, Amen!

A Loving Reminder: I Surrender

A Loving Reminder: I Surrender

You can make many plans, but the Lord ’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)

My lovelies as I abide more in Christ and He in me, I've come to realize how much control God has over my life. Most of my life has been spent trying to run away from God wanting to draw me closer. I could pinpoint moments where God closed doors, removed people from my life, opened other doors, planted other people. I was trying to fulfill MY desires..trying to fill MY emptiness. Thinking, acting and prancing along like I belong to ME.

Painful moments, moments of joy all leading to that encounter, that moment where God says 'you can keep trying to do what you want to do and I can keep closing doors and removing things from your life, or You can follow me and live the plans I have for you. “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I do not belong to Me. You do not belong to you. I was created for a higher purpose. You were created for a higher purpose. Jeremiah 1:5 says that He knew me and you before He formed us. Psalm 139:13 says that He created our inner most being. That He knit us in our mothers womb.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.... (Galatians 1:15)

God had to bring me to the place where I had to decide, I can keep trying to do things my way and keep facing hurt, and disappointment or I can surrender totally and find joy and peace in Him. I chose to surrender.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon seeks for meaning and fulfillment in his riches and in everyday life, and as he goes day to day living life to 'his fullest' he concludes that everything is meaningless. “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) Everything you do on your own for 'your' purpose is meaningless. He concludes that at the end all that matters is that you fear God and follow Him. "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. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

My lovelies take some time to think if you have totally surrendered to Gods plan, to His Will, or if you are still trying to follow your own plans, and your will. 

Father,

I come boldly before your throne with a grateful heart. You are exactly who you say You are. El Kanna- (the jealous one) forever with us and pursuing us with all of Your love-filled heart. I thank you Father for your relentless pursuit of us. You don't stop until we surrender, how long we run is up to us. I surrender it all, my dreams, my desires, my thoughts, my coming and my going. Father I lift up any lovely that is running. Lord that you meet them in the very place where they stand and you reveal yourself to them. In your powerful and precious name Jesus, Amen!

I Surrender - Kim Walker

http://youtu.be/LhaVB_7ejK4