some thought-filled words...

came across this picture on facebook this week, and it was so encouraging to remember that God gives good gifts to His children. Yes, don't settle. Yes, hold out for HIS best for your life. Yes, pray for not only a Christian man, but a passionately GODLY man!
But also, we should be remembering that one of the greatest things we can do for our future husband is to understand who we are in Christ and to seek and love HIM more and more! Pursue Christ today. Invest in your relationship to Him today. Don't let your heart grow cold.
Keep praying. Pray for God's work in the heart of your future husband. Grow in godly wisdom as you read His Word. He is working on transforming you into HIS image and is shaping your character. This is going to be so beautifully attractive to your husband.

a June note

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying "Get up quickly!" And the chains fell off Peter's wrists. -Acts 12:7.

Reading this today, it was a beautiful picture to me of the freeing POWER of Christ. The angel didn't have to work with Peter's chains to get them off... cut them, etc. The chains simply fell off Peter's wrists.

God used these verses to remind me that if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed, John 8:36.

What has been keeping you in bondage? What would you like to get free from? I don't have to worry about how to get rid of my chains - whatever tries to entrap me, distract me, or make me stumble. God's Word makes it clear that Jesus is the One Who saves. My heart should be confident that as I confess my sins and shortcomings, as I look to HIM for forgiveness and grace, that He does cleanse. It's what He promises us. As I ask for safety and deliverance and freedom, He answers. He loves me. This is the gospel! I John 2 tells us this, if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, and He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Liberation.Redemption.Salvation.
I should never be anxious or despairing because of the enemy. My GOD is greater. My GOD is the Almighty GOD. He has all power. We're promised victory. The chains fell off. 
Galatians 5:1, In this freedom Christ has made us free and completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery which you have once put off.

some encouragement for May!

Hey friends,
This month has just flown by! we would like to share something that we read today, in hopes of it being a blessing to you! As you read,ask God to speak to your heart about anything that needs to be changed... any area that you need to fully surrender to Him in order to live effectively for Christ's glory.
God has you where you are for a reason. He shines through you! Be a light and live boldly no matter where you are and no matter what your age.

speech-behavior-love-faith-purity

Keep Running!

I just read this encouraging article from a blog called inCourage. It was a timely reminder to keep looking to Jesus, to keep running this race, to not grow weary or faint in my mind, to know that this is a season of training and that God is not finished with me yet. He is faithful. He is loving. Each little experience in life is to build more of JESUS's character in me... with the goal of bringing Him even greater glory: causing others to see and savor and desire Christ!
So, don't give up! Keep on keeping on. The Lord is your strength! He is with you!

notes from April girls group!

Some helpful wisdom from the book of Proverbs for girls of today

Have you ever found yourself in a sticky situation? Maybe you said something that you really should have left unspoken. Perhaps you caused dissension among friends. Or maybe, to your extreme dismay, you find yourself acting in a way you have always despised!

Well, the book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom for us. God’s Word is fresh, alive and active. See Hebrews 4:12. It’s described as a two-edged sword. Think of a sword for moment. It’s not dull. It can cut. Do you let God’s Word enter deep into your heart? Do you seek God earnestly in prayer, asking Him to root out the sin and to transform you more and more into Christ’s image? This is something we should ask Him to do. David prayed for eyes that would “behold wondrous things” out of God’s law. So, we read God’s Word not just to check off a box, or say that we’ve had our quiet time for the day, but to learn and to grow, to be convicted of sin and to really KNOW HIM more deeply! THE GOAL IS GROWTH NOT PERFECTION.

So, here are a couple Proverbs. Wisdom for gals. Timeless truths!

①He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends, Proverbs 17:9. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise, Proverbs 10:19. We were recently out to dinner with a couple friends. During the evening, we disclosed a particular issue. It’s something that bothered us… something we observed in someone else that was improper.  Little did we know that the information would travel around after dinner, and that another party would be put in an uncomfortable situation because of it! Ahhh! So, the lesson learned: if we see something improper going on, we should go right then to the proper authority and voice the concern. Another lesson: consider if talking about the issue is GOSSIP. Is it slander, even if no names are mentioned? Can the one we’re sharing our concern with even help in the issue? What will prevent the story from being shared with another party? Like the game telephone, you never know what the final “story” will actually be! So, love does seek to cover sin. It seeks out the best. It hopes for the best. Love does not dismiss sin. It does not justify sin. But love does look for the proper way to deal with delicate issues that come up regarding others. Be respectful of others and sensitive. If in doubt, don’t say it! Prayer from David in Psalm 141:3, Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 

Luke 6:45 Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. (the message) The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. (NET) 

Words start from the heart. How is my heart? What condition is it in? Does it belong to Jesus? Healthy? Whole? Yielded?

-ask God to cleanse my heart in order that I might speak right words.

-cleanse my heart with the Word of God

-evaluate how my words will be understood before I speak them

②The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down, Proverbs 14:1. And from James 1:19, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…  Building a house… building the relationships around you… investing wisely into those God has put in your life. The place where you live is your place to build. The wise woman is going to build up! The foolish is going to tear down. Which one are you? What habits are you forming today that are helping to shape your responses to irritations? Maybe you’re thinking, “I just can’t make myself love him or her!” You’re not alone if you don’t always have those warm tender feelings to those around you, especially your family. For me, it’s helpful to remember that I’m to do everything as to the Lord. It’s helpful to keep GOD in my mind – a healthy fear and reverence of His presence… so that I do seek to please Him and bring Him honor in my actions. This is a great quote from C.S. Lewis on loving even when you don’t feel like it:

 The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. The Christian, trying to treat everyone kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes on- including people he could not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning ~ C.S. Lewis. Learning to love a little more. Actions lead to feelings!!

③[A woman of noble character] watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness, Proverbs 31:27. Doing your share, helping without being asked, caring about others. We recently completed the book of Ruth with our BSF group. Ruth’s character is amazing! She served her mother-in-law Naomi day after day. Going out early and working until the evening, gathering grain, carrying heavy loads. She was unselfish. She was generous. She was loyal and faithful. She was not lazy in the least! And of course we all know that her character did not go unnoticed by Boaz! So, what about you? what about me? Keeping things in order is not easy. Try to set aside an hour or two a week to clean out and reorganize your room. Be alert to the needs of your mom. If you aren’t sure, ask her what you can do to help her out! There are times and seasons for rest and fun… but make sure you take advantage of the times to be productive, useful, and loving to those around you. Be a blessing!

Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you no one would believe it.

storms of life

Sometimes Jesus comes and simply carries us through hard times. This post was so encouraging to read today. We hope it blesses you!

GRL March encouragement

 ~Psalm 23~

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.

He restores my strength.

He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.

Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff reassure me.

You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies.

You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.

Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days,

and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life. 

(NET Bible)

A Shepherd. A good shepherd. Someone who cares about you deeply. A God who never lets you out of His sight. God wants to make Himself known to you as your good Shepherd. 

Are you trusting in Him as your Shepherd? He wants to lead you. Are you willing to follow Him? He wants to protect you. He wants you to keep in His right paths. He desires to fill your life with all of HIS fullness.

So, think about God's goodness in your life. How has He protected you? What can you praise Him for right now? Try starting with praise for HIM and who HE is! Regardless of how your circumstances change (and believe me, they will change! sometimes all seems to be going great, and other times, it's as if all of life is against you), our God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Nothing can separate you from His love. Do you believe He is with you? What is worrying you today? Go to your Good Shepherd in prayer and tell Him what's on your heart. Praise Him for meeting your every need. Whether it's a life threatening situation, or just getting through your daily routine, remember that you are loved. God cares for you and He gives you His blessings and His protection! He's for you. Never doubt it!!

Isaiah 40:11, He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. 

John 10:27-28, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

Psalm 23:6 is really meaningful in the Message translation: "Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life." Take a minute to think that through. God's love and God's beauty, His goodness and faithfulness, chase after YOU. Not just every now and then, but every day -- He's after your heart, your affections, your love. He extends such grace to us - His forgiveness, His hope, His salvation. He puts people into our lives and arranges our circumstances so that we learn to see more of Him. He is initiating a very special relationship with you, and it's all made possible through the amazing gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Slow down. Let His love capture your heart.

You Never Let Go by Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Your perfect love is casting out fear

And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won't turn back I know you are near

And I will fear no evil

For my God is with me

And if my God is with me

Whom then shall I fear?

Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

Still I will praise You, still I will praise You