What makes you Happy?

This world can get us down, and discouraged. There are so many things that we see and hear daily that can be not only disappointing but discouraging. Our ideals are and should not be wrapped around the worlds standards. As we prepare for Christmas people get caught up in the gift's, sales, and running around crazy to get a lot done. The world tells us we will be more happier when we have more things, and look a certain way. The standards are set to something that is unattainable! The more and more we get will not make us happier! And being super model thin will not make all woman happy. What is the underlining issue of why we are not happy? Most don't know and live out their lives trying to find happiness. It is so easy to get drawn or sucked into what the world is doing. As believers we have Joy from God, a inner joy that the Holy Spirit gives us daily! All we need to do is look to the Lord and he will provide it to us! This is a season of celebration of the birth of Christ! When we get sucked into the worldly thinking and doing we excuse it because it is not a heaven or hell issue, or a salvation issue. Is are relationship with God more important than just a salvation issue? Can we truly be happy when we live for ourselves as long as we still maintain our salvation? I believe not! Only true happiness comes from pure obedience! Mary herself had a choice when the angel appeared to her!! Luke 1:38 " “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. And when we are obedient to God he will be there to help you! He doesn't just command us to obedience without helping us!! The Lord is with you; Do not be afraid; and Nothing is imposable with God! There is proof after proof that God will be with us! So take this to heart and really think about what makes you happy! Ask yourself why it is that this thing or person makes you happy, and search out God and his Joy that is everlasting and fulfilling!!

Relationship

Relationship is vital in our lives, and God created us to have relationship... with Him! I have learned over the years that if our relationships with man are to succeed our relationship with God must not only come first but also be in check. When I say in check I mean, we have to be actually be having a relationship with God. Pursuing Him, by spending time, reading the Word and praying! Before we complain about our earthly relationships we should turn the table and look at our own relationship with God. We need to ask God how am I doing Lord, is there anything in me that needs to be changed? This is not easy!! Because once you ask this God will reveal it to you, and it will be difficult for you. Change is never easy especially when it is change within yourself that needs work. I realized as I was complaining about a relationship about not spending time, or talking to that person I turned it back on myself. This was difficult, as I have been busy I haven't been spending time with God like I used to, and praying or reading the Word like I had been. God revealed to me that I need to seek Him daily, and have a real relationship with Him! Once my relationship with God is in alignment, the rest just comes natural and almost easy! Here is the powerful point of it, God wants to change us! That is why He died for us!! I want to be desperately in love with God! This is my prayer from A.W. Tozer; in The Pursuit of God;

   "O Go, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it had both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wondered so long."

I challenge you today to take a look at yourself and ask the Lord what is it that needs to be change in you? And ask Him to help you with it!

The voice of God

A small child recognizes its parent’s voice, even in the womb a baby recognizes the voice it hears the most. So what's to say that we will not recognize the voice of God? John 10:3 "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” As you seek to discern how to strike balance between good and better choices, don’t overlook the power of prayer to keep you focused and attuned to God’s voice in your life. If we but listen, He often speaks to our hearts and instructs us on our journey down His path. -T.D. Jakes Be still and listen, God will speak to you and you will recognize His voice as he calls to you!

Loosed

Some thoughts and Sermon notes:

There is something being loosed in my spirit. Hebrews 12:27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Let the spirit of God remove things that are not of the Lord! God has shown me that my feelings need to be put into check. So feelings are no longer going to lead me, as I grow and walk in the spirit of the Lord. Feelings can actually be deceptive, and not what the Lord has for my life. Oh how I desperately want to fall back into the arms of Jesus, but am I willing to let Him catch me? “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” A king who was considered a pagan had this great insight. The challenge today is to let the Lord strip away your comforts and to challenge ourselves to stop making excuses and to become more involved. Many people will run because they are afraid and letting their emotions rule over them, but God will send with you provisions! God will download into you when you need him to. So get out of your own moments and get into God's! The obedient son, Genesis 22 Isaac didn't question but listened and stayed in the moment of God, not his own, and fully trusted! God will always back us up when we step out in faith. He will always provide provisions for us. Are we doing enough? Or just barely skimming by so to not make any waves in the water? I don't want to live as if I am barely living, I want to be passionate and on fire for my Lord and Savior! I will no longer let feelings control me; I am a child of God. Fear, worry, sadness, doubt, un-sureness or anything else will not stop me from doing what the Lord has called me to do! Let the spirit of the Lord loose something within your soul, and spirit. No longer hang on to all the lies the enemy has for you! Be awakened to the truth that God has for you! You are a child of God that is loved and called according to His purpose.

Midnight thoughts

A thought came to me late last night about explaining our walk life with Chirst to people. It is not possible for any of us to be in the Word of God every second. But it is very possible for us to be in the presence of God not just daily but in every single second. let me explain this for you, once we become saved we are imparted with the holy spirit within us. What is interesting is that we think we are dragging God around with us when we are doing wrong, but really it is God trying to lead us. I actually visualize a struggle of the two trying to lead the other somewhere. When we say we love God is it just a statement or our we living it out? Daily we are making choices, and love is an active choice. Our love for God can't just be the words but the actions behind them. You will begin to choice not to do something that is not good because you love God. It is not out of fear that you try not to sin, but out of your love. The choice to be obiedent to God is because you love Him and want to please him. Every single day God is with you, where ever you go. This love is two sided as you begin to show love to God and others you will also recieve love in return. I challenge you today to fall back in love with your first love Jesus
~Amanda

God's Love!

I have been SO busy with my new class, History of Christian Theology I. I have reading everyday, and writing as well. I have learned a lot in the first two weeks! ;) I am taking a partial break from FaceBook and have extra time to be in the word, and write on my blog. Tonight I went to church where I am a part of a small group of single women. It is encouraging and wonderful to be there. I love all the ladies in the group! We are currently reading out of Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. If you have not read this I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy! We are on our third week after being back from summer break. Fancis helps you think and understand God's crazy love for you! To summarize what I have been learning if you don't get an opportunity to pick up a copy. The God of our universe who created all the stars in the sky, to the small insect of a spider and all the unique things a spider can do is passionate and crazy about us! Having a relationship is what God is longing for. Is your prayer life a routine? When you pray are you praying at God or to Him? Speaking to God is not as difficult as we make it! Also, "Are you Ready?" At any time we could parish, and we looked at how we are living our lives.This life IS short! Are we being selfish and just living it up for ourselves or for God?

Francis says that "worry implies that we don't trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our live."
Francis also says that "stress says the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control."

I love quotes! So I have a few more, take time and think about each of them, and if they can be used in your own life.  

The point here is to think about your life and how your living it? What would happen if today you saw God? Matthew 10:32; if you deny God before man, God will deny you. But if you acknowledge God before man, God will acknowledge you before his father in Heaven.

A.W. Tozer wrote "A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man's greatest tragedy and God's heaviest grief."

"I don't have to worry about not meeting His expectations. God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine." -Francis Chan

God loves us so much that he knew us before we were born in Jeremiah 1:4 & 5. We are His inheritance, Eph 1:18.

"This God we serve, the God who knew us before He made us. The God who promises to remain with us and rescue us. The God who loves us and longs for us to love Him back." -Francis Chan

Everlasting

"A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out"

This Song by Hillsong is great! We sang it at church last Sunday and I wanted to think about it deeper. God is everlasting! When we don't have enough light God's light never goes out. Losing myself and giving into God and his will is freeing. The part I thought and meditated on the most was "consume me from the inside out." I want to be totally consumed first from the inside and than the outside. So many times we are "consumed" just on the outside, we put on a show or act as if we are consumed. To be consumed means abandoning a lifestyle that is not according to God, and turning your life completely over to your Lord and Savior. This is not an easy task! I have been in the process of this for my entire Christian life. But the more I grow closer to God the more easier it becomes ;) My hearts cry is to give him praise and glory, for all the the great things the Lord has done for me! I don't want to live my life from the outside in, and being more concerned with the external than the internal. I want my heart and mind and soul to be consumed, and living from the inside out. I may wear my heart on my sleeve, I may help too much, I may be the sweetest person you will ever meet. But that is what God made me and I will try to be all that he created me to be and more! ;) 

Changes

God never changes! I am always changing and growing. Thank God that he is never changing.

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob."
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever"

Light to the Darkness

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) After reading this I think of a bracelet I have, it glows in the dark, but it only glows when it has been spending time in the light and sun. I wonder how much time I spend with the Son and in his light? Am I a light to the darkness? The more time I spend with Jesus and the closer I get the brighter our light will shine. ;) Spending time is just as simple as praying or reading the Bible. Take out some time today and get recharged with the Son of God who is the only one that can give you light!

Been a while

So it has been a few days since I last posted. My oldest daughter was sick with the flu and I am in the process of completing a class. Had a lot of stuff going on I would say. But God is good! My daughter is better, I am getting an A in my class and Life is Great! :) Will be posting some more thoughts later, now to more studying. ;)

Weekend of Sept. 11th

Today is Sept.  11th, and as we look back and think about what happened to America 10 years ago I recall where I was and what I was doing myself. I was 20 yrs old and just had signed up for the military. I was going to be leaving for boot camp that weekend. I was scared and nervous, and unsure of everything. I am very thankful for where God has placed me and that I am a US citizen. I am thankful to all the men and women who have served this Country! Out of darkness comes the light, my nephew was born on this day 3 years ago, and many other babies. So even though this is a day to be sad, and remember we can also be joyful for the freedom we have of new life! Blessings on you and your family!

Morning Study

I remember Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But to live this out is not so easy. We as humans worry and want to make our own plans. Can we truly have peace in God and know that he will take care of us? Psalms 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God" God's peace is what we need to lean on and understand. Philippians 4:7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Picking just this passage apart helps me understand better what it is I am to do. I have been not leaning on God's peace but my own. I worry and try to plan out things to go my way, when really they should go God's way! It is hard when we just automatically do things out of habit. So how can we change these habits? And lean on God's understanding?

Well first we need to understand is that God is for us and never against us. Romans 8:31 "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We can never lose our salvation, God will protect us, and this is his promise and comfort we have is from the previous verse Romans 8:28 my favorite verse. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."  This does not mean that when we are not being led by the Holy Spirit are actions and sin will all work out. It is only in the Holy Spirit that this can be true. We need to live in the Spirit daily, this means to actively pray daily and have a one on one relationship with God. Also reading your Bible, having a quiet time to sit and let the spirit guide you and direct your study, for example this whole paper is from my morning Bible study time and wanting to learn more. When we are in the spirit we have nothing to fear, God will protect us and work out all the things in our lives. We need to have peace and patience and let God lead us. I have been struggling with this lately as new things are happening in my life. I have to remember all the time, who really is in control! I am not and cannot orchestrate or predict or plan and make things happen, I have to let God do that. I am not as society says independent woman, I am a dependent woman of God. I will operate in the spirit and have peace knowing that everything is taken care of.

Thoughts for today

As I was taking my dog out this morning I realized how much I love the fall! I love the changes it brings in everything. :) And it reminds me how much I have changed in my life. And how beautiful God is in not only His creation but in the fact that he Never changes! That is a blessing, I changed so much over the last 20 years and can never make my mind up and I am THANKFUL that the Lord stays the same and is faithful! Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Update

It has been a few days now since I last blogged. :( I got a little crazy busy, and was going through a rough patch. But God is Good, and has lifted my spirits! I am blessed beyond measure! I am learning so much in my current class, Business Ethics with a Judeo- Christian understanding. If that doesn't make sense let me explain it this way, how can we apply ethics in our business that are based on the Bible? The Bible is our instruction manual on how to live our life, without it we don't have the answers! In Bible times how did the people handle business ethically, and what does Jesus say about ethics? It is very interesting and great information! ;) A article I read was about sweet shops and how they actually benefit the community in which they are due to low poverty, and when we protest them we are actually hurting those communities rather than helping. Very good topic of debate to understand. If we only see it in our own perspective we won't understand what these factories are like and how much they are needed and wanted in areas. I am so thankful to have an opportunity to go back to school and learn all the things I am so passionate about!

On the subject of my singleness: I am happy where God has placed me, and will continue to wait on what the Lord has for me. I was upset about that ex who had gotten married, but I now look at it as that was not meant for me, and I was not ready myself. I have grown so much spiritually over the last few years, God is truly doing a wonderful work in me. :) Molding me and creating a new creature for His name sake. I know exactly what I want and pray everyday for that in a man. And when the right one comes along I will know. I pray God will give me discernment and knowledge in this area. A friend of mine put on his facebook wall that a worldly relationship is nothing compared to a Godly relationship. I have yet to discover this for myself, but it makes the waiting so much better! To all those singles out there the wait is worth it, and if you think you can't wait no longer, pray for God to give you peace in your spirit! There are going to be tests, and potential people that want to try and divert you off your path, but know that if you stay focused on the Lord He will give you strength. Romans 8:28 is my favorite verse "that all things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to his purpose. "

Bible Study

Today I stumbled upon Hebrews 12, this is a good scripture!

¹ 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, ² 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. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”^[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³ “Make level paths for your feet,”^[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. ¹⁷ Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[c] 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^{[d] 22} But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[e] 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[f]

The word of God is living and powerful!

This mornings thoughts

"What does a surrendered life entail? Most importantly, it involves complete commitment to Christ, unaltered by the world's influence. Our desires and old ways of functioning are no longer driving forces. Yielding to Him means following His way in attitude, words, thoughts, and deeds—and doing so unapologetically, unwaveringly, fearlessly. Complete surrender is not an easy road; it means dying to your desires and selfishness." C. Stanley

I missed church this past Sunday, we were camping and I feel totally off! I wasn't in His house and I feel like I am missing something this week. I miss His presence and the word of God that pastor delivers.

Evening ramblings

After a long day, kids are in bed and I am tired! I have been thinking about why I got a blog, and really don't care if anyone reads it, rather it is a way for me to share and write down my journey. So if anything I can remember or someone can learn from my journey. I am not exciting, actually far from it. lol so if you’re taking this journey with me, Thanks! ;)

I am now on my second week of weight watchers. The first week I lost 3 lbs. It is a good program, but very stick. I have control, but I love to eat! So what to do, and how to lost weight and get back into shape and be healthy? I think exercise and watching what I eat, not just as rigours as ww. We shall see. I also quit smoking in January, and for some reason been having cravings. I am praying through this, and know that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 

Random thoughts

Today has been a great day, took my sister to the doctor to get checked. She is okay still on bed rest. Also a good friend today reminded me that once I am settled in my singleness and love myself is when God will do it. Another friend said this a long time ago and it has stayed with me. "Be a woman wrapped up in the Heart of God, so that a man of God has to seek out the Heart of God to find you." I so want to be that woman. So how to do that is the question right? How to be fully wrapped in the Heart of God, would be to be in His word, and in prayer?

Thoughts from last night

As I was laying down in bed I started to cry. I realized that a ex of mine had gotten married. I was heart broken, and sad. Not that he is married now, but that I had talked to him about it as well, and if I had made different choices maybe I would be married now. So I looked back on my life and sometimes wonder why things happened the way they did. If I had done something different my life wouldn't be the same now. Then God gently reminds me that He is in control! I love my life, my children and my singleness. I don't need another to "complete" me, all I need is the Lord! There will be difficult times, but He will guide me and direct my path and give me strength!

Taking care of Sister

So for the last week I have been taking care of my sister while on bed rest. She is now 29 weeks prego and her body is ready to have this baby! I am praying over her that he is not born till his due date! I have been her personal assistant and LOVE it! She and I get along great, I love spending time with her and making sure she and the baby are ok. :) Please pray for her!

My first post!

I decided to get a blog after watching Julie & Julia. It was a great movie! I was Inspired. lol I like to write and have so many ideas that Facebook alone wouldn't work. So here I am with my first blog entry ever.  :)