March 17, 2012
Did you know.....
The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117.
The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119.
The very center of the Bible is Psalm 118.
There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118.
There are 594 chapters after Psalm 118.
Add these numbers and you get 1,188.
What is the center verse in the Bible? Psalm 118:8 ---> "It is better to take refuge in the Lord that to trust man."
The above verse says something very significant about God's perfect will for our lives. We're told to trust in Him rather than people. If we do that, we'll find it much easier to stay in the center of His will.
When are you tempted to placeyour trust in people rather than Christ? We often tend to trust what we can see and feel. Placing our trust in God when we can't see Him is where faith comes in.
Many times, we can't see or feel the sun, but we don't doubt its existence simply because it's hidden behind the clouds. And there are also times that we can't feel the wind. Do you still believe that the air exists even when you can't feel or hear it? To stay in the center of God's will requires faith, and faith is trusting without seeing.
The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their life, or that they want to be in the center of God's will, just send them to the center of God's word!
Isn't it odd how this works out? Or could God be the center of it? Think about it! <3
Know it! --- What often seems a coincidence to us is devine provision from God Almighty. Allow Him to help you stay grounded in the center of His will!
Read it! --- Psalm 118:8
Luke 18:1-8
Ephesians 6:10
2 Thessalonians 3:5
Hebrews 11:1
Pray it! --- Ask forgiveness for the times you stray from God's will, and ask Him to give you the discipline you need to stay grounded in His word.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Be happy
March 16, 2012
Have you ever felt like absolutely nothing is going the way you want it to go? What did you do? Did you just give up? Or did you try to figure out what was going on?
This has been what's happened with me lately. I've been really sad these past few weeks and nothing seemed to go good. At all. I kinda gave up. I mean, yeah, I really wanted to be happy and all, but it got to the point where I just honestlly didn't care anymore.
I was talking to someone recently and they told me to either go find a friend to talk to or just go write down all your feelings in a journal. I though about that for a while and I was like, yeah, that's a really good idea.
The next day, I was talking to a friend of mine in class and it just so happened that we felt the exact same way. We talked about it for a while and suddenly, I felt a whole lot better. I went throughout my week, still feeling down, but I was a smiling just a little more.
I also started writing things down in a journal. I sat down one night and wrote about 4 pages, just to get everything out. It felt soo good. Like, this may sound weird, but words can't even begin to describe how good it felt. I also think that reading the Bible helps to make you happier and things go better.
Right now, I'm still a little sad, but I have such great friends who are getting me through. So, if you feel this way, or have ever felt this way, try doing what I said. Grab someone you feel comfortable talking to. Vent. Write in a notebook. Read the Bible. PRAY.
"Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand. With all your counsel you guide me, and at the end, recieve me with honor. Whom else have I in the heavens? None beside you delights me on earth. Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever." --- Psalm 73:23-26 <3
Have you ever felt like absolutely nothing is going the way you want it to go? What did you do? Did you just give up? Or did you try to figure out what was going on?
This has been what's happened with me lately. I've been really sad these past few weeks and nothing seemed to go good. At all. I kinda gave up. I mean, yeah, I really wanted to be happy and all, but it got to the point where I just honestlly didn't care anymore.
I was talking to someone recently and they told me to either go find a friend to talk to or just go write down all your feelings in a journal. I though about that for a while and I was like, yeah, that's a really good idea.
The next day, I was talking to a friend of mine in class and it just so happened that we felt the exact same way. We talked about it for a while and suddenly, I felt a whole lot better. I went throughout my week, still feeling down, but I was a smiling just a little more.
I also started writing things down in a journal. I sat down one night and wrote about 4 pages, just to get everything out. It felt soo good. Like, this may sound weird, but words can't even begin to describe how good it felt. I also think that reading the Bible helps to make you happier and things go better.
Right now, I'm still a little sad, but I have such great friends who are getting me through. So, if you feel this way, or have ever felt this way, try doing what I said. Grab someone you feel comfortable talking to. Vent. Write in a notebook. Read the Bible. PRAY.
"Yet I am always with you; you take hold of my right hand. With all your counsel you guide me, and at the end, recieve me with honor. Whom else have I in the heavens? None beside you delights me on earth. Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever." --- Psalm 73:23-26 <3
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Life
March 13, 2012
Hey y'all. I'm really sorry I haven't posted much lately. Life's been really hard right now and I just need some time to think and find out where I am in life right now. I'll (hopefully) be able to get myself together and I'll write my life story this weekend.
Sorry again. <3
Hey y'all. I'm really sorry I haven't posted much lately. Life's been really hard right now and I just need some time to think and find out where I am in life right now. I'll (hopefully) be able to get myself together and I'll write my life story this weekend.
Sorry again. <3
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Life is tough
March 10, 2012
So, I haven't been able to blog these past few days.
I've been in New Mexico since Tuesday and got home late last night. I don't really have much to say because I'm kind of just "going through the motions" right now.
I have so much on my mind and sometimes I just don't know what to do. Right now, I have to worry about family, make-up work for school, friends, SEARCH, my faith, etc. It's all soo hard to keep up with.
No worries. I'll make it. But, I will ask anyone who reads this blog to pray for me and especially my two cousins and uncle. My youngest cousin, Daniel, is starting to get really depressed. He was totally fine when we all were around to keep them company, but when we were getting ready to leave, he kinda just shut himself out. My oldest cousin, David, he didn't really show much, but I know it's going to get a lot harder for him. My uncle is a total wreck and yeah; pretty much self-explanatory. And last, me. That I can find some peace in life. Thanks! <3
So, I haven't been able to blog these past few days.
I've been in New Mexico since Tuesday and got home late last night. I don't really have much to say because I'm kind of just "going through the motions" right now.
I have so much on my mind and sometimes I just don't know what to do. Right now, I have to worry about family, make-up work for school, friends, SEARCH, my faith, etc. It's all soo hard to keep up with.
No worries. I'll make it. But, I will ask anyone who reads this blog to pray for me and especially my two cousins and uncle. My youngest cousin, Daniel, is starting to get really depressed. He was totally fine when we all were around to keep them company, but when we were getting ready to leave, he kinda just shut himself out. My oldest cousin, David, he didn't really show much, but I know it's going to get a lot harder for him. My uncle is a total wreck and yeah; pretty much self-explanatory. And last, me. That I can find some peace in life. Thanks! <3
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Adjust your perspective!
March 4, 2012
We often complain about the cost of gas prices. But put these items below into perspective the other liquid items we purchase regularly.
Lipton tea: 16 ounces for $1.19 = $9.52 per gallon
Diet snapple: 16 ounces for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon
Gatorade: 20 ounces for $1.59 = $10.18 per gallon
Ocean Spray cranberry juice: 16 ounces for $1.25 = $10 per gallon
STP brake fluid: 12 ounces for $3.15 = $33.60 per gallon
Vick's NyQuil: 6 ounces for $8.35 = $178.13 per gallon
Pepto-bismol: 4 ounces for $3.85 = $123.20 per gallon
Scope: 1.5 ounces for $.99 = $84.48 per gallon
Evian water: 9 ounces for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon
As much as we complain about gas prices, when compared to purchasing gallons of any of the above liquid items, gas suddenly doesn't seem that expensive, does it? That's because we've put it to perspective. Good things happen when we're about to put life events into perspective. Things suddenly don't seem too bad.
For example, Elijah felt as though he was the only follower of God left on earth when, he really wasn't. All he needed was a perspective adjustment. When he allowed God to shift his perspective, he realized there were actually thousands of godly people around him.
Do you need a perspective adjustment? If so, you're definitely not alone! Luke 9:54 shows that James and John wanted to pray fire down from Heaven to make an entire town, but then Jesus helped them with perspective. A little perspective adjustment can really make all the difference!
Know it! --- It's really easy to become focused only on ourselves and what we want. But God wants to help you see life clearly-- through his perspective.
Read it! --- 1 Kings 19:11-18
Proverbs 13:20; 21:22
Luke 9:52-56
Pray it! --- Ask God to help you see things from his perfect perspective. <3
We often complain about the cost of gas prices. But put these items below into perspective the other liquid items we purchase regularly.
Lipton tea: 16 ounces for $1.19 = $9.52 per gallon
Diet snapple: 16 ounces for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon
Gatorade: 20 ounces for $1.59 = $10.18 per gallon
Ocean Spray cranberry juice: 16 ounces for $1.25 = $10 per gallon
STP brake fluid: 12 ounces for $3.15 = $33.60 per gallon
Vick's NyQuil: 6 ounces for $8.35 = $178.13 per gallon
Pepto-bismol: 4 ounces for $3.85 = $123.20 per gallon
Scope: 1.5 ounces for $.99 = $84.48 per gallon
Evian water: 9 ounces for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon
As much as we complain about gas prices, when compared to purchasing gallons of any of the above liquid items, gas suddenly doesn't seem that expensive, does it? That's because we've put it to perspective. Good things happen when we're about to put life events into perspective. Things suddenly don't seem too bad.
For example, Elijah felt as though he was the only follower of God left on earth when, he really wasn't. All he needed was a perspective adjustment. When he allowed God to shift his perspective, he realized there were actually thousands of godly people around him.
Do you need a perspective adjustment? If so, you're definitely not alone! Luke 9:54 shows that James and John wanted to pray fire down from Heaven to make an entire town, but then Jesus helped them with perspective. A little perspective adjustment can really make all the difference!
Know it! --- It's really easy to become focused only on ourselves and what we want. But God wants to help you see life clearly-- through his perspective.
Read it! --- 1 Kings 19:11-18
Proverbs 13:20; 21:22
Luke 9:52-56
Pray it! --- Ask God to help you see things from his perfect perspective. <3
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Shake It Off!
March 3, 2012
One spring day, Farmer Green's donkey fell into a well. The animal brayed loudly as Mr. Green tried to figue out a solution. He finally decided that since the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to rescue the donkey.
He recruited his neighbors to help, and together they all grabbed shovels and began to toss dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and wailed louder. After several minutes, however, he quited down. The neighbors were amazed at how quiet the animal had become.
Farmer Green finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey's back, the animal did something incredible. He shook the dirt off and took a step up.
As Farmer Green's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, the donkey continued to shake it off and step up. It wasn't long until the donkey was able to step up over the edge of the well and simply trot off.
We can't go through life without having some dirt tossed on us. Every single one of us will experience trials and lonliness. When life tosses dirt in your path, you have a choice: Let it bury you alive, or shake it off and step forward. Try to view your problems as stepping stones. If you so choose, you can actually learn from your trials.
When I first read this devotional this afternoon, it really spoke to me. We all have some kind of weight bearing down on us. And I completely understand how this feels. But, sometimes, wether we want to face the truth or not, we have to shake it off and start over. It can be really hard sometime to just shake off whatever it is that's on your heart, but it can also be the best thing for you. Pray about it, and just try to do what God wants you to do. You won't regret it.
Know it! --- You can't escape troubles, but you can become stronger through each one. The next time you're faced with a problem, go straight to God. Stop focusing on the why and start looking for the lesson.
Read it! --- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
James 1:1-4
1 Peter 1:6-7
Pray it! --- When you're dealing with a problem, ask God to help you see how to learn from it, move ahead, and trust him more. <3
One spring day, Farmer Green's donkey fell into a well. The animal brayed loudly as Mr. Green tried to figue out a solution. He finally decided that since the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to rescue the donkey.
He recruited his neighbors to help, and together they all grabbed shovels and began to toss dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and wailed louder. After several minutes, however, he quited down. The neighbors were amazed at how quiet the animal had become.
Farmer Green finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey's back, the animal did something incredible. He shook the dirt off and took a step up.
As Farmer Green's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, the donkey continued to shake it off and step up. It wasn't long until the donkey was able to step up over the edge of the well and simply trot off.
We can't go through life without having some dirt tossed on us. Every single one of us will experience trials and lonliness. When life tosses dirt in your path, you have a choice: Let it bury you alive, or shake it off and step forward. Try to view your problems as stepping stones. If you so choose, you can actually learn from your trials.
When I first read this devotional this afternoon, it really spoke to me. We all have some kind of weight bearing down on us. And I completely understand how this feels. But, sometimes, wether we want to face the truth or not, we have to shake it off and start over. It can be really hard sometime to just shake off whatever it is that's on your heart, but it can also be the best thing for you. Pray about it, and just try to do what God wants you to do. You won't regret it.
Know it! --- You can't escape troubles, but you can become stronger through each one. The next time you're faced with a problem, go straight to God. Stop focusing on the why and start looking for the lesson.
Read it! --- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
James 1:1-4
1 Peter 1:6-7
Pray it! --- When you're dealing with a problem, ask God to help you see how to learn from it, move ahead, and trust him more. <3
Friday, March 2, 2012
Eternity
March 2, 2012
So first of all, I'm going to be reflecting on my devotional readings for the day the rest of Lent. Let me know what you think! Enjoy :)
Have you ever wondered what would happen when you die? Like, where you'll go or what it will be like?
Think about the richest person in the world, like Michael Jordan, or Bill Gates. They get paid double minimum wage, even when they're not working, and they get paid twice the amount of all United States presidents for all they're terms. Crazy right?
But even if Michael and Bill save 100 percent of their income in like, 500 years, that still won't buy even one minute of eternity in Heaven with God.That's insane!
Because we're all human, we want to have a beginning and end to everything. Am I right? We want to always know when things will begin and when they will end. Well, not in eternity. Eternity goes on and on and on. Think about it. When it's our time to be with God, we'll be with him. FOREVER. I mean, there's only two choices. Heaven or Hell. When it all comes down to this, ther is no in-between. You'll be spending eternity in one of those two places. Do you know where you'll be?
Know it! --- God wants you in Heaven so much that He sent His only Son to die for YOU. The death and resurrection of Christ if your entrance to eternity with God.
Read it! --- James 2:5
1 Peter 1:3
Revelation 21:6
Pray it! --- Tell God how thankfull you are that Jesus died in your place on the cross. Ask Him to help you live a life of gratitude. <3
So first of all, I'm going to be reflecting on my devotional readings for the day the rest of Lent. Let me know what you think! Enjoy :)
Have you ever wondered what would happen when you die? Like, where you'll go or what it will be like?
Think about the richest person in the world, like Michael Jordan, or Bill Gates. They get paid double minimum wage, even when they're not working, and they get paid twice the amount of all United States presidents for all they're terms. Crazy right?
But even if Michael and Bill save 100 percent of their income in like, 500 years, that still won't buy even one minute of eternity in Heaven with God.That's insane!
Because we're all human, we want to have a beginning and end to everything. Am I right? We want to always know when things will begin and when they will end. Well, not in eternity. Eternity goes on and on and on. Think about it. When it's our time to be with God, we'll be with him. FOREVER. I mean, there's only two choices. Heaven or Hell. When it all comes down to this, ther is no in-between. You'll be spending eternity in one of those two places. Do you know where you'll be?
Know it! --- God wants you in Heaven so much that He sent His only Son to die for YOU. The death and resurrection of Christ if your entrance to eternity with God.
Read it! --- James 2:5
1 Peter 1:3
Revelation 21:6
Pray it! --- Tell God how thankfull you are that Jesus died in your place on the cross. Ask Him to help you live a life of gratitude. <3
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Beautiful YOU
March 1, 2012
It's really hard to love other people if you don't love yourself.
I've been struggling a lot lately with self image. I mean, yeah, every girl wants to be told she's pretty, skinny, everything they're not. Right?
It really hurts when someone says you're ugly, fat, not good enough, etc. At first, you just start to think, 'well, that really hurt, but oh well. I know it's not true.' Well, when they keep saying all these mean things to bring you down, you eventually start to believe them. That's when you should start to worry.
"You are beautifully and wonderfully made." --Psalm 139:14 <---- There's proof. Don't believe me? Go look it up. God made each and every one of us on this earth EXACTLY how he wanted us to be. It doesn't matter if you're pretty, ugly, fat, skinny, tall, short, or any of that. God loves you and you're perfect JUST the way you are.
Last night at my girls' Bible group, this is the exact topic we talked about. One of the leaders read a children's book. It was about this town of little toy people who either got stars or dots from the other people. If you were pretty, or talented, you got stars. If you were ugly, un-talented, and just didn't seem to be "good enough", you got dots. Well, this one toy got a ton of dots daily. He was so upset. He hung around other toys with lots of dots and felt alright with them. One day, he saw this girl who had no symbols on her. He asked her why that was. She told him she went to the carpenter who made her, and that he cleans her of the stickers.
That night, the toy goes to the carpenter and talks to him. The carpenter calls his name. The carpenter picks up the little toy and the toy tells him how he saw this girl and that he wanted to get rid of all of his dots. The carpenter looked at him and said that the girl didn't have any dots or anything because she didn't believe in labels. He also said that if he wanted to get rid of them, that he would have to stop believing the lies that people were saying about him and think about why he was made. Eventually, the carpenter told the toy to believe HIM and to come back every day to get "clean." The toy wasn't too sure about it, but as he walked out the door, one of his dots fell off.
I think this was one of the best stories. It really shows how much God truly loves you. He wants you to go to him with all your worries, struggles, whatever is going on, and he'll clean you from your 'dots.' You just have to let him in.
Remember, you ARE beautiful and perfect just the way you are. Don't change for anyone. Be yourself, and be comfortable being who God truly made you! <3
It's really hard to love other people if you don't love yourself.
I've been struggling a lot lately with self image. I mean, yeah, every girl wants to be told she's pretty, skinny, everything they're not. Right?
It really hurts when someone says you're ugly, fat, not good enough, etc. At first, you just start to think, 'well, that really hurt, but oh well. I know it's not true.' Well, when they keep saying all these mean things to bring you down, you eventually start to believe them. That's when you should start to worry.
"You are beautifully and wonderfully made." --Psalm 139:14 <---- There's proof. Don't believe me? Go look it up. God made each and every one of us on this earth EXACTLY how he wanted us to be. It doesn't matter if you're pretty, ugly, fat, skinny, tall, short, or any of that. God loves you and you're perfect JUST the way you are.
Last night at my girls' Bible group, this is the exact topic we talked about. One of the leaders read a children's book. It was about this town of little toy people who either got stars or dots from the other people. If you were pretty, or talented, you got stars. If you were ugly, un-talented, and just didn't seem to be "good enough", you got dots. Well, this one toy got a ton of dots daily. He was so upset. He hung around other toys with lots of dots and felt alright with them. One day, he saw this girl who had no symbols on her. He asked her why that was. She told him she went to the carpenter who made her, and that he cleans her of the stickers.
That night, the toy goes to the carpenter and talks to him. The carpenter calls his name. The carpenter picks up the little toy and the toy tells him how he saw this girl and that he wanted to get rid of all of his dots. The carpenter looked at him and said that the girl didn't have any dots or anything because she didn't believe in labels. He also said that if he wanted to get rid of them, that he would have to stop believing the lies that people were saying about him and think about why he was made. Eventually, the carpenter told the toy to believe HIM and to come back every day to get "clean." The toy wasn't too sure about it, but as he walked out the door, one of his dots fell off.
I think this was one of the best stories. It really shows how much God truly loves you. He wants you to go to him with all your worries, struggles, whatever is going on, and he'll clean you from your 'dots.' You just have to let him in.
Remember, you ARE beautiful and perfect just the way you are. Don't change for anyone. Be yourself, and be comfortable being who God truly made you! <3
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