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. "