Words of Encouragement

What does God say about us: Ephesians 1:1-14 1. He calls us saints (we are saints that sin) (Due 7:6) 2. Blessed (He holds nothing back from us) (Eph. 1:13-14) 3. We have been chosen ('before the foundation of the world. Before he spoke the world into existence, He spoke my name.' Matt. 13:25) I am blameless in His sight. 4. Predestined . (He predestined us for adoption into His family. Also we have been predestined for a purpose. We are His sons and daughters and we don't have to grovel in our sins.) (Rm. 8:29) 5. Redeemed and forgiven . (He has made us valuable. How? By sending His Son to die and be resurrected from the dead. "We are not meant to carry guilt and shame. PERIOD.") 6. In CHRIST . It is only in Christ that any of this is true.  (2 Cor. 5:17) 7. I have an inheritance .  (Ps. 37:29) 8. We are " seated with Christ in the heavenly places." Christ is seated in the seat of highest honor and in Christ we...

Challenge of the month! Recently I gave a friend the following challenge. Whether you are single, in a relationship or married, it's a good idea! A few years ago I went through and wrote out my list and I encourage you to do the same! 1:    My challenge to you is to write up a list of twenty (20)  things/ qualities you want in your future spouse.  Write them out on a piece of paper so that you can physically write on it and hang it up on your wall.  Pray over each item in a week period. 2:   Next go through and circle the ten (10) that you feel are most important. 3:   Finally highlight the top five (5) out of the ones circled. What is the objective? It's to get you thinking about what REALLY matters. Don't go looking for a spouse, God has a plan and we don't need to be actively searching. But praying for your future spouse is a good idea, pray for their heart, mind and spirit. Ask God to protect them and give them strengt...

What is Forgiveness? Well let's take a look shall we?! 1. Forgiveness is motivated by compassion.  Matthew 9:36 states, "When He saw the crowds, He has compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." 2. Forgiveness is often costly. Matthew 26:28 states, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ our Lord."  3. Forgiveness is inspired by the divine model.    Ephesians 1:7 states that, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Colossians 1:13-14 states, "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the  forgiveness  of sins. Forgiving others is hard. Many times ...

Okay, you might not know that I enjoy watching videos on two channels, first   "The AnimaSeries."   and secondly, Jon Jorgenson's channel. It was around a year and a half ago that a friend of mine posted, "Who you are: a message to all women."   After I saw that video,  I started watching more videos on the channel! The videos make you think and are really encouraging. If you haven't watched any of their videos I would highly encourage you!  I know that I will be sharing more of their videos on this blog! :) I really liked one of Jon Jorgenson's latest videos titled, "What is the church really about?" "It's about a God who wants your heart." It's about Jesus inviting you to follow Him."

Have you ever felt alone? Like there was no one there for you? No one to hear you, to lift you up to say it's going to be okay! No one! Have you ever felt like you're sinking and that there's no one to pull you out, to rescue you. In Hebrew 13:5b the Lord said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  If you think you are alone, I am here to say that you are NOT! If you have a relationship with Christ Jesus our Lord you are NOT alone. The Lord, He will never leave you. He is with you through the storm.  In the book of Matthew the disciples climbed into a boat to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. When evening came a storm came up and as the disciples looked out onto the storm, they were terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the water. They thought He was a ghost . Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid."  Peter answered Him, " Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Jesus answered, "Come....

"O God, my God I see You Taken by: Maria Louise wanna move when You move You're more than I could long for I thirst for You You're an ocean to my soul To my soul Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall Running wild and free You hear my heart when I call, when I call Deep calls to deep Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall Raining down on me Waterfall, waterfall O God my God, I seek You In this dry and desert land You lead me to streams of mercy once again You're an ocean to my soul To my sould It's coming like a flood I'm dancing in the rain Everything I've done is covered in rivers of grace Amazing It's coming like a flood  I'm dancing in the rain I lift up my hands Your love never changes Amazing." "Waterfall" by Chris Tomlin www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Ks1o1gOWo

"I am only one, But still I am one. By: Andrechinn; found on Flickr I cannot do everything But still I can do something And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that  I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale, American author

Sunday Drive:  by Rachel  found on Flickr http://bit.ly/1rJfclJ “[The first call every Christian experiences is] the call to abandon the attachments of this world.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer  Okay, here are three questions to ask yourself. 1. What drives you? 2. What motivates you? 3. What's the reason you do what you do?  Are your answers, money, friends, family, a car, etc? Is it to have a bigger house, get a better job, be known by those who you think are important?!  Philippians 1:12-26 "12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel wit...