Importance of Relationship

I'm so thankful for what God is doing in my life during this season. I have been able to notice growth in my walk and especially in how I interact with God.

Each year in January my church begins its 21 day Corporate Fast. This is our time of consecration where we are putting our flesh in submission by eliminating certain foods, media and social aspects of our lives that might distract or pull our attention away from God. I am grateful for the 21 days that I spent this year because I was able to focus on my spiritual growth. Unfortunately, some years it becomes more about the food that I cannot eat and finding foods to fill me up when that hunger pain hits. This year I was able to pull closer to God when I felt those pangs. I found so much joy in being able to complete my 21 days of Bible reading to add to my quiet time with God.

Those 21 days were necessary to remind me of the importance of seeking out that daily time to spend with God. Too often we can allow the distractions of our daily schedule to draw us away from the most important relationship that we have. I understand more now, that I need to be in God's presence daily. I cannot go a day without taking the time to spend with Him. As I've stated before in other blogs, when I do skip a day, I notice the difference! I do not ever want to be walking around in my flesh because I know it can do some damage. I want to be Spirit-led. In order to be Spirit-led I have to allow my ears to be adjusted so that I can recognize His voice.

One of the biggest questions I had this past year was on the clarity of God's voice. I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't confusing my voice, with God, or the enemy's (but we'll save that discussion for later, that's for another blog!). That's why it is so important to work on your relationship with God, so that you can recognize His voice.

I believe that God truly does want to have a relationship with us. I looked back at the notes that I took on the 4th of February, which was the 18th day of the fast. We read about the will of God. Something that stood out to me from John 14: "Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father." As a believer, I desire to do works that show who my Father is. I want to have the confidence that if there is something that I need to pray about, that since I have a relationship with God that He will honor my prayer and move on my behalf.

Something else that stood out to me, found in John 15: "Remain in Him and He will remain in you! Those who remain in Him will produce much fruit. You didn't choose him, He chose you. He appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in Jesus' name. You are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you." Remember, that these are my notes based off of the New Living Translation. I thought this chapter had so much encouragement for the believer. The first part reminds us that He wants a relationship with us! He says to remain in Him!! That requires work and dedication to spend time with Him. Then, He goes on to say that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us. He chose us, to go and produce fruit. So, that let's us know again that we have work to do. He didn't save us from eternity in Hell to stay here on Earth and look cute! We have to go to work spreading this Gospel and sharing with those who are walking around dead, and yes literally, because they have not been born again. Last but not least, He gives us comfort. He says that He has chosen us to come out of the world, and it's okay if they hate you (that's scripture!); so, don't become discouraged if they do not want to hear what you have to say or they persecute you for believing in Jesus. Without a strong relationship with Him, we will find that we are weak and possibly not even producing the fruit and completing the work that He has called us to.

If you feel that you have slacked in this area, don't become discouraged. Set apart some time to spend with Him. It's important that you search the scriptures for yourself and you begin to listen for God as He speaks to you through the promptings of His, Holy Spirit. I promise you won't regret taking out this time to spend with Him.

Be Encouraged,

God's Servant

Relying on God

Wow, it's been a LONG time since my last post. Talk about over a year! Sorry, life has definitely been busy for me. I have moved across the world, literally, and changed jobs and now I'm just living and enjoying my current portion from the Lord.

This past summer after talking with God, I was led to move back to Germany. This was a major decision for me, but I have to say that I don't regret it one bit. I had quite a few people that didn't believe it was time for me to go, but as soon as I moved out I received nothing but confirmation that I was in the right place. I have learned how to trust God, and honestly, this is not the first time I have had to surrender my wants and plans to His. I have been living by Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (New Living Translation). He has showed me more of my purpose while I've been here and He's even drawn me closer to Him.

I find that I miss it when I neglect to spend time with Him on a regular basis. I am in a season where I am realizing that God is my true first priority. When I mess up it is normally because I have replaced Him with something or someone else. I have been learning to check myself more, and to ensure that my priorities are straight. It really is true when the scriptures say that He will draw close to those who draw close to Him (James 4:8a). I have to make sure that I daily draw close to Him. It would be a shame if I started forsaking my time with Him now.

Honestly, this is a challenge for me...still! Sometimes I feel that work or my studies are important, but they are never more important than the God who ensures that I have breath and my strength to make it through the day. It is tough to rely on God when you are waiting for something, but it is so worth it. I find that when I'm waiting that I just have to make sure that I spend even more time with Him. I have to make Him a priority. This might mean that I have to cut out some of my TV time, Netflix too, in order to ensure that I spend time to listen for Him that day. It should never come to a point where I am able to fit everything in my day except spending time with God. That's a dangerous spot to be in.

It's so important to take the time to listen to His voice and to meditate on the word of God because that is what keeps us going. We have to ensure that we stay connected. How can we say that we rely on someone that we never spend time with? I simply cannot. Another thing that we must do when we rely on God for something is to trust Him to do exactly what He said He would do. We cannot say that we trust Him to do something in our lives but then we constantly pester Him about it. That's not how it works. It's not the easiest thing to do, I know.

I've been down this road a couple times before. Currently, I'm waiting on God to intervene on my behalf to set my feet back in the school system. It hasn't been the most peaceful experience, but I have found moments where I'm completely at peace. I have decided to continue to trust God. I don't want to move ahead of Him. I don't want to move after the fact, but I want to be so in tune with Him that I am able to move as soon as He says. I thank God for what He's doing in me and in the lives of those who I come in contact with. I thank God for my time to be a witness where I'm at. I'm thankful that even though I have my moments where I get down on myself that He is always there with open arms when I go to Him. He reminds me that I am a child of the King. He pulls me closer to Him, and being in His presence is so sweet! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I will continue to rely on the one true and Living God.

Be Encouraged,

God's Servant

Let's Talk About Ruth

It's been quite a while since my last blog, but I'm back with some fresh insight and hopefully some encouragement. I want to talk about the story of Ruth and Boaz. It wasn't until recently that I took another, and might I add deeper, look at the book of Ruth. Now, this blog is dear to my heart because I believe most Christian single women have heard this said once or twice before, "I'm just waiting on my Boaz." But, do you really know and understand what Ruth went through before she met her Boaz? Have you ever taken a look at how God connected Ruth and Boaz? And one more question, have you ever thought about the type of woman that Ruth was? I can honestly admit that I had not thought about those questions until about a week ago.

I am just going to be blunt and say that last year was a year of reckoning for me. I'm now in a place where I desire to run hard for God  no matter what. I understand that the one God has for me is for me. There isn't anything I can do to rush his arrival. Believe it or not, there is a lot that we can learn from Ruth.

Let's talk about Ruth: she came from the land of Moab. In the very first chapter we learn that Naomi and her husband Elimelech left the land of Judah and went to Moab during a severe famine. After they arrived to Moab Elimelech dies. While they were in Moab, their sons Mahlon and Kilion married Ruth and Orpah. About ten years later, both of Naomi's sons die. Now she is left without a husband or sons. Now, what would you do if you were put in this situation? Not only did she lose her husband but she also lost her sons. The only family she has in this land are her two daughter-in-laws. Naomi decides to go back to her land and instructs Orpah and Ruth to return to their mothers' homes. She knew that she would probably never remarry, and even if she did she told them that it was not like they were going to sit and wait for her to have more sons. It is here that we first see an amazing quality in Ruth. Loyalty. She decides that she is going to stay with Naomi. She makes this declaration, "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die there, and be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!" (Ruth 1:17) Now Naomi had already given her permission to go. But Ruth did not want to leave. She had decided to stay with Naomi and would stay with her even until death. Now, that is definitely a characteristic that I want to have. Her first display of loyalty was so genuine. So, she returns with Naomi to the land of Bethlehem.

Even though Ruth was not of the land of Judah, she denied the gods of her land and declared that she would serve Naomi's God as her own. She returns with Naomi and as she promised she clings to her mother-in-law. Another important characteristic that we cannot ignore is Ruth's diligence and work ethic. She asks Naomi if she can go out into the fields to gather any grain that has been left behind anyone. Keep in mind that right before we learn of Ruth's desire to work, (Ruth 2:2) that we are made aware of a relative named Boaz. He is described as "a wealthy and influential man" who was also a relative of Elimelech. Boaz was an important relative because he was eligible to redeem Ruth. Meaning that he could marry her and then she could bear children and preserve the name of her dead husband. This would allow them to continue the legacy of their family which was the tradition in those days.

Ladies, notice how Boaz is described ;). He was wealthy and influential. Think about the man that God has designed especially for you. He hasn't just thrown someone together for you. Now, I'm not saying that your One may not experience financial troubles in his life, but think about how God presents all His gifts. He is not going to present you with just anyone...but let's talk a little more about Ruth and her story before I get carried away with my excitement here.

Ruth was hard at work when Boaz noticed her. Now, you might need to reread that sentence in order for it to sink in. Boaz noticed Ruth at work in his field. She did not have to do anything flashy to get his attention. He noticed her. When he asked about her the foreman was able to give an account of what she had been doing, she had been hard at work and only took a break in order to find shelter (Ruth 2:6). What are you doing now, while you are waiting for your Boaz? Are you working? Or are you just passing time? Again, notice what she was working for. Ruth was working because she needed to be able to provide for her mother-in-law and herself. She was not working to gain attention, but as a means of survival. Too often, we do things or perform jobs in order to gain recognition from the wrong people. Perform your task where you have been planted. When God brings your One to you, there won't be anything extra that you will have to do to gain his attention. I firmly believe that God is more than capable to give my husband clear instructions regarding my whereabouts. Trust, he is not the author of confusion. He never has been, nor will be. Now I know that this blog has run a little long. I apologize as it is my first time writing in a WHILE :) and I am so excited. There is no better feeling than being able to read a familiar passage with fresh eyes and walk away with revelation and insight.

So if you don't walk away with anything else, I want you to reflect on the characteristics of Ruth: loyal, hard working, diligent, and faithful. She was focused on the task at hand. Are you like Ruth? Or are you too busy trying to get every man's attention in hopes of finding your one day husband? Be patient, and get to work. There is so much work to be done. I will share more insight on Ruth in a follow-up blog, because trust me there is a lot to say about this woman.

Be Encouraged,

God's Servant

How do You Manage to Stay Sane?

How do you manage to stay sane when it seems there is so much going on around you?

Great question! You have to PRAY and RELY on God. There are so many components to peace! But I can assure you that you cannot have peace if you don't first submit those issues or concerns to God and leave them there. We serve an awesome God who wants to take care of us. He wants to show us that we can rest in Him.

This summer has been a testing one for me. I have been learning to take God at His word. When I talk to others about faith it is always so easy to tell them what it is. But I can't honestly tell you a moment other than believing God for an acceptance letter for college (feels like forever ago) that I had to really wait on God...until now. I constantly tell myself to look through my spiritual eyes. I constantly tell myself that my turn is coming. I constantly tell myself that everything happens in God's timing.

You would think I was good to go huh? I have to admit that it is a process. I have to remind myself everyday that God has the best intentions in mind for me (Jeremiah 29:11), he has my future all planned out. I don't have to doubt Him. It's easy to do on a good day when people aren't asking you, "What's next?" or "How's the job hunt going?" But what happens when people start asking you questions? What do you say then?

I have been encouraged by one of my spiritual mothers to speak life! To claim the promises of God over my life. The promises can be found in God's word. He has given us so many promises! But we must proclaim them over our lives and trust in them. Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the Lord. 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (NLT) Whatever we can imagine for God to do in our lives is nothing in comparison to what He can and will do!

I take joy in scriptures those I have included in this blog. They show that God cannot be put in a box. We can paint a picture of how we want God to solve our problems, but really we do not control what He does. Ephesians 3:20 "God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." (MSG) So when I'm having a hard time trusting God I revisit this scripture, which is one of my favorites! It let's me know that I have to stop telling God what I need and how to do it. Philippians 4:6 tells us to pray about everything and worry about nothing; to tell God what we need and thank Him for what He's done. Notice it didn't say anything about telling God how to fulfill our needs. So stop the worrying. It will work out, in God's timing and more importantly how He's planned it.

Lastly, one of our elders shared this with us on Sunday and I saved the nugget. Don't pray about something and keep asking for it. Pray for it once, and every time you pray after that to thank God for doing it. If it's healing you need, thank Him for your healing. If it's a job, thank Him for your job! Start to profess those things that be NOT as though they WERE. I promise you'll see the change!

Be Encouraged,

God's Servant 

How He Loves

God is just so awesome! I've read many of the Psalms and looked at how God's love is described. But it didn't quite hit me until I read Psalms 139.

When I was thinking about all that God does for me it was just mind blowing. He knew me way before I was here! Even in the midst of my formation in my mother's womb He already knew what I looked like and how I would change as I grew older. There isn't a single detail about our lives that God doesn't know. But most of all He knew that I would be born into sin, and that I would go years enjoying sin more than being in his presence. He knew that I would have gifts, but before I used them for His kingdom I would use them to make myself feel important. Yet, He didn't take my gifts away.

---
Currently I am waiting to see how God is going to move in my life. There have been many moments when I (the overplanner) have been sitting aimlessly, almost twiddling my thumbs waiting. I have no idea where my next move is going to be. But I take joy in the fact that I serve a God that knows me. Psalm 139: 17, 18 "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" (NLT) He has so many thoughts concerning me, my life, my future. I cannot even begin to imagine what God has in store for me. Sometimes I'm blown away simply at how HE loves me. 

I am in a place where so many see me. I put on a brave face, and tell everybody that my portion is coming. Yes, I believe it. But I would be lying and far from real if I told you that I didn't have any concerns. I am learning how to rest in God. It is easy to claim to have faith, but the execution is where it gets rocky. Faith is believing in what we cannot see. Faith is knowing that God will take care of us in any situation. Faith is remembering that God has plans of success lined up for us. Faith is relying on God to give us what we need, especially when we cannot picture how we can obtain it.

God loves His children so much. He desires for us to be successful. He does not want His children to be disadvantaged. He does not want His children to have to beg and borrow, but He'd rather us be the lenders. He wants us to prosper in health (3 John 1:2) even as our soul prospers.

I know that God loves me. If He doesn't do anything else for me, I know that He loves me. He gave his only begotten son for my sins! John 3:16, shows exactly how much He loved us. He gave His son that we may be saved from an eternity in hell. I am learning to stop stressing over things that I have no control over. I know that I serve a God who loves me unconditionally. So, when it comes to the things that I can work on, I will. But the things that I cannot control or change, I will leave to Him...

Be Encouraged,

God's Servant

P.S. It's not over until GOD says, "IT'S OVER." 

Who Told You to Follow Your Heart?

These last few weeks I have been repeatedly going back to scriptures that talk about our heart. Often times when we are watching television or movies the advice that they give tells the troubled soul to "follow your heart." But, my brothers and sisters do you know that following your heart is dangerous!

Really? Yes, I said it. Following your heart is dangerous. Jeremiah 17:9-10 "the heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." (MSG) so be careful in following your heart, for one it changes. One moment your heart is telling you to go one way, and in the opposite direction in the very next moment. Our heart is misleading. It is deceitful, and cannot be figured out. Why would you want to follow something that will only confuse you?

Pray for God to give you a heart makeover. Many times our intentions are pure but our heart is not there. I love Jeremiah 24:7 because it says, "And I'll give them a heart to know me, God. They'll be my people and I'll be their God, for they'll have returned to me with all their hearts." (MSG) so if your heart has been made new by God then it is okay to follow your heart because now you are His. You want the things that He wants for you.

Use this blog to serve as a heart check. What is the status of your heart? Does it need recharging? Does it need to be made new?

I often have moments where I need recharging. I have to go to Him and ask Him to make me over. Clean me up. Give me a clean heart. I never want to do anything for Him with an unclean heart, for one He doesn't accept that. So be careful, be weary of people who put more emphasis on following your heart than following God. Pray always. God will provide the answer you need. His direction is best.

Be encouraged,

God's Servant

Recall!

It has been quite some time since my last post. I have not forgotten about you all, but God has definitely been working on me. Ever since last August I have been working on my Masters in Elementary Education and school has been one of my main focuses. I have thought about posting so many times, but I have to admit that it was not high on my list of priorities. I am determined to do better for the rest of 2013 though.

This first initial blog I will use to encourage anyone who needs an extra push to spend time with Jesus. I can look back over this past year and see the times when I was the strongest compared to those when I was extremely weak. It is very true that we must stay connected to Jesus. I am reminded of how God wants to be intimate with us. Like with any relationship, you only get to know the other person when you invest time in him/her. When we invest time in reading God's word, we learn new things about Him.

Last summer I had an awesome time; I woke up most mornings at 4:00. Yes, 4:00! A time I have only seen on few occasions this year. But I was up and ready to talk with God each morning. After I prayed I sat and read His word. I literally sat at His feet for the entire summer. I had days where I didn't get up until 4:30, but I started my day off by spending time with Jesus. It was awesome. I began to learn things about myself that I never knew before. My time in worship was so refreshing.

This semester was rough! I still have a relationship with God, but I didn't spend nearly as much time with Him as I should have. When you make these types of decisions, (to skip out on quiet time) you allow a breeding ground for doubt, anxiety, and stress to grow. God has allowed me to overcome so much. He's definitely made me an example, but I can be completely honest in saying that I haven't lived up to that example.

This blog is titled recall for one main reason. It serves as a reminder that not only is quiet time recommended each day, but it is also necessary. Our quiet time with God is a time where He can openly communicate with us, and we can learn His desires for us. We have his ear and can voice all our concern, and worry to Him. More importantly we have set the tone for our day because we started with God.

Why can't I just pray when I wake up? Sure, you can. But if we look at our example in Jesus, Mark 1:35 says "Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went to an isolated place to pray" (NLT). Trust me I enjoy my sleep, more than just a little bit! But there is something in the sacrifice of your time that is restored by spending time in God's presence. It was around this time last year that I began my journal challenge, you can find more information on Heather Lindsey's blog (awesome stuff by the way). It was a time where I was desperately seeking God, and it's time to get back to that place. Make some time for God in the beginning of your day. I promise that it will be worth your time.

Be encouraged,

God's Servant