Wednesday, July 25, 2012

I was the 1 out of 100

For  the Son of man has come to save that which was lost.
What do you think?
If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?
And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 that did not go astray.
Even so, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
(Matt. 18:11-14)

I love these verses!
They are sooooooo encouraging to me.
I had accepted Jesus into my heart at a young age, but I didn't really know what that meant.
All I knew is that I  wanted to go to heaven and didn't want to go to hell.
I lived my life the only way I knew how. I followed what I saw.
So, you see I was once one of those sheep that went astray.
I wandered off thinking I could get along my way..
What came of it?
I got mixed up with one too many guys and had my heart crushed beyond belief.
I was mentally, physically, and emotionally abused on a daily basis.
I ended up in a different state, in a battered womens shelter, pregnant and alone.
I had two children by two different guys, only to be left  to care for them both alone.
I broke my parents' hearts and alienated everyone who truly loved me.
etc, etc, etc....I'm sure you get the picture.
The moment I decided to obey, was the moment my life began to turn around.
I saw myself in a light I had never seen before and I cried because of what I saw.
My eyes were open for the first time in a long time.
Jesus revealed Himself to me once again.
He showed me that He had been running after me the entire time.
He showed me that He really never left me, but that I had left Him.
I walked out from the covering of His protection, but He had me in His hand all along.
He was a GREAT shepherd!
As a shepherd does, He loved me, even when my actions spit in His face.
He cared for me, enough to allow trials in my life, that I would cry out to Him.
He watched over me when He could've let me die, and believe me, there were many times that I put myself in postion for that to happen.
He protected me.
He showed me just how much He loved me by blessing me with my son and daughter, when He could've allowed me to get an incurable disease.
The faster I ran from Him, the faster He ran after me.
He loved me so much that He would not give up pursuing me.
That brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
Tears of sadness and of sheer joy at the same time.
Sadness because I know how much I hurt my Savior.
Sheer joy because I know that if noone on this earth loves me, that I am truly loved by my Lord always. He has proven that to me over and over again.
He loves me in a way that NOONE else ever has or ever will.
If you are in a state where you've once walked with Jesus, but have now fallen away, please know this...Jesus is still in love with you. He is pursuing you with a pure, true love. He is calling you as you run from Him because He longs for you to come back.
He has a plan for your life. A plan that only you can fulfill. Please run back to Him! Repent and get right with Him. It's not too late!!
If you have never known my Jesus, He longs for you too.
He gave His life to pay the ransom that you owed all because of His unconditional, neverending love for you.
If you'd like to know how to become a follower of Jesus, please let me know. I would love to share more with you.
<3







Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Rejoice!!

Rejoice in the Lord Always, Again I say Rejoice!!
(Phil 4:4)
That is what the Lord has been speaking to me lately. It doesn't matter what we are going through or how we feel, we are to rejoice in it all.
Now those are some hard words to ingest.
That goes against every fiber of our first nature (flesh).
Our flesh continually screams, "It's not fair!", "When am I ever going to get what I want!?!", etc.
That's when we have to dig deep into the Word of God and meditate on the things that will bring our second nature (spirit) out.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
(Col 3:2)
Only when we put into practice the things that we've learned, in the Word, are we truly walking in the Spirit, because we have refocused. Our perspective has then changed.
We are no longer looking at "me" or "my circumstances",
we are now looking at Jesus, His will, and eternal things.
Things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Phil 4:9)
Only then can we truly experience the peace of God in every circumstance.
It's funny how we know these things, but the knowledge is useless unless we put it into action.
I know that many changes are taking place in your life, most of them are unpleasant, frustrating, and difficult, to say the least.
But I urge you to continue to seek things above and give all your pains, frustrations, etc to the Lord, that He may, in return, fill you with His real peace.
That the peace you have will not only be outward, but that you would truly experience His peace in the inmost parts of your being.
That you could rejoice in the circumstances, knowing that this is temporary and is the will of God.
He will bring you through to the other side.
It's your choice to either go through it your way, stressin, etc, or His way...
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:6,7)
Remember God said,"... I will never leave or forsake you. So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear..."
God loves you!
He is for you!
Everything that He allows in your life is for your good and the good of those watching how you handle the circumstance you're in, and believe me, they are watching.
For our light affliction, which is but a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
(2 Cor. 4:17,18)
One last thing...
We are at war, a spiritual war, but you have been given everything you need to fight.
You therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life.
(2 Tim 2:3,4)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
( Eph 6:10-18)
<3

Saturday, July 21, 2012

My Plea

O Lord, I have listened to Your voice,
I have done what You've asked, yet some come against me.
They say that they are hurt and speak wrongfully of me
behind my back.
I try to extend the olive branch and bring peace,
but there is war in their voices.
With the same lips they speak of love and also evil against me.
Do they not realize how difficult it is for me too?
Do they not understand the pain that burns so deep within my soul?
They think of only how they've been affected,
never once considering the way they are reacting is affecting me.
Please, help them to view my obedience in the light of Your Word and open the spiritual eyes of their understanding, that they may see as You see.
Defeat my real enemy by restoring love, peace, and reconciliation.
I know who my real enemy is. He is the father of lies. He seeks only to kill, steal, and destroy,
But I REFUSE to let him have the victory!!
I know that I do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ruler of the darkness of this age.
Therefore, I will continue to choose to obey You, no matter the cost.
I will continue to live for You and follow Your voice,
that I may be right with You and bring glory to Your name.
I give you my hurts, for You alone know every detail of what I'm going through.
You know, and keep, every tear that I have cried.  
You alone are the healer of my heart.
I will continue to rest under the shadow of Your wings, in which I find strength, peace, and comfort.
I choose to love those that are hurting me,
for they are merely unsuspecting pawns.
I pray that You would open their eyes, that they be played no longer,
and that You would bring peace, love, and joy into their lives once again.
For they too are Yours.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Update in a Nutshell

HEY!!
It's been a while. Many things have happened  since the last time I posted.

About the last pregnancy, well I experienced another miscarriage.
It was difficult going through that again, but the Lord got me through it. I know that one day I WILL see them again, and I can't wait!!! I KNOW that they'll have really chunky kissy faces...I can just feel it <3
I still have the baby blanket I bought for my first baby and the blanket and outfit I bought for the second. Call this wishful thinking...who knows, anything is possible with the Lord, right? ;)

About 1 1/2 months ago my family and I made a HUGE decision.
We sold just about everything we owned, except books and kitchen stuff, those of you who know me personally understand why, lol, and moved to Jacksonville,FL.
We were staying with friends for a month, but, unfortunately that didn't work out as well as expected. In fact, I'd like you to pray for my friend.
I love her very much, but she is very angry.
I am soooo confused about the whole situation.
 Nough said.
We are now renting a townhouse. It's really nice to have a place to call home.
We haven't quite gotten used to being away from our much loved family and friends, but does anyone ever get used to that?
I miss them all more than they could ever imagine.
Good thing is, I know that the Lord has led us here and He has a purpose in it all.

My 14 year old daughter went on a missions trip, with our SC church family, to Ukraine from June 25th to July 11th.
That in itself was a miracle!
 If you know my daughter, you know that she used to be afraid of her own shadow, but since she's gone and come home she is different. Praise the LORD!!!
I knew , when she told me that God was calling her to go to Ukraine,  that He was going to do some remarkable things in and through her.
I know she loved it there.
 She even speaks about moving there some day.
 She said, "Ukraine just felt like home."
She met a bunch of people, whom she adores and speaks of often, and is so thankful for Facebook, because now she can keep in contact with them.
And my SC church family...what can I say about them?
They are my family and I love them soooooooo much!!
They watched over my daughter as she was in Ukraine. She had lots of mamas there :)
I thank the Lord for them<3
And my parents...
Well, they rock too!!
We moved to Fl before the missions ,so we had to leave her behind( It was HORRIBLE for both of us, but I just kept praying and the Lord answered my prayers)to  attend meetings and missions functions to help prepare her for the trip, and they kept good care of her, and for that I am completely thankful.
My son turned 18 in May and graduated!!!!
WooHoo!!!
1 down, 3 more to go..all you homeschool mothers will understand what an accomplishment that is :)
He stayed back in SC, which broke my heart, but I know that the Lord has a plan for him too.
He is still my sunshine and will always be, even if he's not here:).
Boy, is it hard letting go.
You know it's going to happen one day, but then that day comes far too quickly.
I am proud of him.
He isn't perfect, who of us is?,
 but he has proven himself to be a very responsible adult.
 Praise the Lord, I taught him something useful...lol
He has just started a new job this week, which he's very thankful for.
Well that was what I call UPDATE IN A NUTSHELL :)
Write again soon.....