Encouraging Word-You're an Overcomer

Hello again!

Quick post to get you started for today.  First, Happy Friday!  You've made it!!  Take a deep breath and remember to give Thanks for what you have been given!

Whatever trials you have experienced this week, your Heavenly Father already won the battle.  Stop struggling to fight them!  Allow yourself to be consumed by His loving embrace, fall into His arms, and rest in His Peace!

Let's Review this weeks themes!

You are well armored!

Each Day is a Precious Gift! 

Your Life is  Precious Gift!

You are Unconditionally Loved!

God's Grace is Long-suffering!

God's Peace is Supernatural!

And!

Through it all, He helps you to OVERCOME the trials and tribulations of this world!  

A song that reminds me that life may knock me down, but God is right there to pick me back up! 

  

Until Next Time! <3 

Encouraging Word-Rest in His Peace

Hello again!

It's Thursday, and the week is almost over!!  You're probably tired, frustrated, and ready for the weekend. Don't worry..I am right there with you.  Today has been one of those days.  Everything that can possibly go wrong-does.  You're mentally and emotionally screaming at the top of your lungs-but no one hears you.  You wonder why you bother getting out of bed, when it would have been the safer option to remain under the covers.  These are the days I have to remind myself minute-by-minute to breathe, take a step back, and CHILL OUT! It is easy to be so consumed by the daily stresses and frustrations and lose sight of the blessings in the midst of the hardships.  It's easy to cry out to God with the famous "WHY?!?"  I find it interesting, and perhaps sad, at how quickly we notice the blemishes, mistakes, or negative elements of our lives and/or people, but we struggle to see the beauty all around us.  Why is that?  Why are we so quick to see ALL the negative, but have to use a magnifying glass to see one spec of something magnificent?

Nonetheless, I found myself asking God for PEACE.  PEACE for each moment; PEACE that passes my own personal, finite, human understanding. PEACE that overwhelms my fears, struggles, and failures.  And you know what? God answered my prayer.  It doesn't mean that my day magically got easier; but, it was more manageable and enjoyable, because I wasn't so consumed with all of MY issues but instead placed my TRUST and HOPE in the Lord.

My challenge for you today and the remainder of the week and weekend is to actively SEEK and ASK God's PEACE-even when things seem to be going well.  Jesus said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24).  Do not stop praying and communicating with your Heavenly Father.  He longs and desires to have continuous communion with His Beloved!

Until Next Time! <3          

Encouraging Word-Feel His Grace

Hey There!

Well!  It's Wednesday.  You've made it halfway....only another half to go!  Hang in there!  You're so close! This week so far may have been wonderful and filled with joy OR it could have been the worst one in a while-filled with difficulties.

Yesterday, I challenged you to show LOVE to someone who perhaps isn't a friend or frankly is someone who makes your life miserable.  To LOVE as Christ LOVES us each and every day-even though we are entirely and completely undeserving of such GRACE.  

Ahhhh!  That word..GRACE.  The receiving of something not earned or not deserved.  For me, GRACE is receiving God's LOVE and PARDON even though I am but a lowly sinner.  That concept is something I still struggle with UNCONDITIONALLY accepting; especially, since this world teaches us to give only to receive.  In other words-CONDITIONALLY.  

Today, I challenge you to SHOW GRACE to someone or perhaps several people in your life.  And! Moreover, I challenge you to RECEIVE GRACE today-whether it is from someone you know or simply basking in the glory of God's GRACE towards you!

My favorite Hymn of ALL time!  The words are simple.  BUT! The TRUTH transcends time! 

Until Next Time! <3 

    

Encouraging Word-Love Dare

Hello again! 

Well! You did it!  Monday is done, and you're still in one piece.  I know some days you're wondering how you made it to the end-but you didn't battle it alone!  God was beside you, in front of  you, behind you, and carrying you along the way.  You were well armored! 

As someone who works in retail, I deal with the public ALL DAY LONG!  They can either be your most adoring fan or your harshest critic.  And!  Their opinions can change in a blink of an eye.  Now, in all honestly, while I generally love to be around people, I don't always LOVE people.  In fact, there are days my feelings borderline on hate.  Yeah, I  know, not my proudest moment!  But, we've all been there.  The place where you are literally rubbed raw, and your last shred of patience just disintegrated.  Where you taste blood in your mouth from the enormous effort to bite your tongue.  It's okay to admit you've been there..we're all human after all.  

But!  Despite the various justifications for my public actions or reactions or my private thoughts and musings, Christ convicts me past my fleshly emotions and rationalizations.  He calls us to love the unlovable and diffuse hate with grace.  We are to love as Christ loves us.  Consider how many times we've cursed, betrayed, and railed against God.  And yet!  Christ still GAVE His life out of LOVE, so we may be joined together with Him in Heaven for eternity.  This was after He was betrayed, mocked, beaten, and crucified.  I know it may seem radically impossible, but it is a ACTIVE CHOICE we can make each and every day.  

I challenge you to love one someone tomorrow; someone who makes you crazy.  I know, you're probably thinking I have finally taken my leave of senses.  But!  I put the challenge out onto the table.  You will never reach anyone through hate, bitterness, or spite.  And, when you're tempted to say or do something you shouldn't, remember the way Jesus Loves YOU-especially in your most unflattering moments.  You may be surprised by the result..but it's a NO until you at least give it a TRY!   

Until Next Time! <3  

      

Encouraging Word: This is the Day the Lord has Made!

Good morning!!! 

It's Monday, and the week is officially underway.  Your weekend may have been packed with events, activities, trips, or rehearsals.  Or it may have been filled with rest and relaxation.  Either way, I am certain, like myself, you're loathe to see it end and are grumbling that Monday has once again arrived at its usual, inconvenient time.   Despite your displeasure, consider today much like you do the other six days of the week.  

This is the Day the Lord has Made, REJOICE and be GLAD in It!!

Every day, including "Manic Monday," is a gift from our Heavenly Father.  For now, it is unblemished by our mistakes or gilded by our triumphs.  Jump head first into another day of your precious life.  The Lord has big plans for you today!  Are you willing to let Him use you?  

Jeremiah 29:11

Here is one of my favorite Gospel songs ever!  No matter what today brings, the Lord is with you and Loves you!  He will never leave you!  Embrace today!

May the Lord Bless You!

Until Next Time! <3