Plan and Purpose

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. It may not always look like what we think it should be or what we desire it to be, but that doesn't mean there isn't purpose.

God dos not desire bad things for us, but we may see something as bad even thought it is for our good. For example, when in college, I was engaged to my high-school sweet heart. That came to a crashing end when he confessed he was cheating on me and had before. I thought my world had come to a crashing end. However, as I grew and matured in my relationship with Christ, I saw that it was for my good.

It was through that experience that I realized I had nothing to offer God. I realized I truly needed Him and a relationship with Him. It is what drove me to my knees and caused me to be at the end of myself and give myself fully to Christ.  It also opened up avenues for me to meet and get to know my husband.

I definitely didn't like going through the pain, and even after I gave my life to Christ, I would question His goodness in the situation, but that didn't change the fact that it was good.

Difficult times can cause us to pull away from God or run closer to Him. I suggest running to Him. Seek His peace, His strength, His love. He desires to give us an expected end!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Most people, even Christians, desire to become rich some day. They work lots of hours to make more money and have many things. However, scripture tells us that shouldn't be our goal. I am not saying being rich is bad (because it can be a blessing from obedience to God), but we shouldn't strive for that. We should strive to obtain and keep a good name and loving favor. It should be our goal to be like Christ-that is better than silver or gold.

Walk Worthy

Colossians 1:10-12 KJV

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

Walk worthy.

Be fruitful to good works.

Increase in knowledge of God.

Strengthened by His might.

Be patient and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Give thanks to God.

It seems so simple, yet it is difficult when we let our flesh and the world get in the way.

I desire to walk worthy. I need to look to Him and seek His strength.

Thankful for Sin

1 Timothy 1:15

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

After reading 1 Timothy, I read a quote by A.W. Tozer. He was talking about being bold in prayer.

"Only last Friday night I said to God in prayer: "I am glad I sinned, God; I'm glad I sinned, for Thou dids't come to save sinners."

Wow!

The Word tells us to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.), but I never thought about being thankful for my sin! But if you think about it, Tozer is right; it is only by our sin that we come to know Christ!

We also know, by God's Word, that God is in control of all things so we know He will use all things for His honor and His glory.

This makes me even consider our current situation of having our freedoms removed under the guise of a virus. God will use even this for His glory; therefore, we must be thankful for this.

He used the Israelites' bondage in Egypt for His glory when He led them to the Promise Land. He used the religious persecution of the pilgrims to His glory by leading them to America which started a new nation. He used the persecution of the Jews under Hitler to strengthen His people and weed out the unfaithful to show future generations the atrocities of being "lukewarm" in faith and following evil under the guise of "protection".

Let us be thankful for our current situation and bold in prayers!

Bless the Lord!

Psalms 103:1-5 KJV

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Praise God! He loves us and does so much for us even though we don't deserve it!

Sometimes it may not always feel like love because it doesn't happen the way we think it should, but it is love nonetheless.

He forgives all our sin. It isn't that He only forgives some of it or that He picks and chooses. He forgives all.

He heals all diseases. This is one that people might debate. We know people die from cancer or even the latest, the coronavirus; however, if that person is a child of God, then even in death, they are healed. They are pain free and healthy for eternity.

He redeems our lives from destruction. If we continue in a life of sin, it will lead to destruction whether here on earth or eternity in hell. He saves us from all of that!

He shows us loving kindness and mercy. Even though we don't deserve to be treated with mercy, He gives it anyway. He loves us beyond measure.

He blesses us with good things. Sometimes we may not initially see that gift as a good thing, but He always desires the best for us and knows what we need. Through something may be difficult doesn't mean it isn't good.

He renews our strength. There are times when we feel we can't go on, but He helps us. He sends comfort and encouragement through His Spirit and/or the people around us. We were not designed to live this life alone and with Him, we are never alone.

Abundant Life, Part 2

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Before, I mentioned that people are living in fear and anxiety. They are allowing Satan to steal their joy, kill their hope, and destroy faith. What I have realized is that although I am not living in fear of this virus, I am still allowing Satan to destroy. He is destroying friendship. He is stealing the opportunity to be open and honest with those we are close to.

My husband has commented lately that his "wife is gone". I am not the same.

I have been upset about broken friendships. I have been struggling with mothering issues and can't  go to my normal  tribe for advice or encouragement. I am allowing the unknowns of financial changes stress me out. All of this has me questioning if I am actually doing what God has called me to do.

This all seems normal to me and the one friend I have that still talks to me about issues says that it isn't out of the ordinary, however, I am still allowing Satan to destroy. This is affecting my relationship with my husband. I have allowed these struggles to affect my home.

Christ came so I could have a life of joy, peace, and love, yet I am not embracing that right now.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 21:14

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

It is much better to give a gift without the expectation of a gift in return. Most often, other people will now if you re giving because you want to or because you feel obligated. It is a matter of the heart. It is joyful to both parties when the gift is given out of love.

Abundant Life, Part 1

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

God sent His only Son to earth so that we could have hope for something better-eternal life. Christ died on the cross for our sins, but He rose again! He defeated death!

Not only did He take our punishment for our sins, He also lived as an example for us. He had a life filled with peace, joy, and love. Sure He endured difficult trials, but He didn't endure them alone; He had God with Him at all times.

We, too, have God with us through the Holy Spirit. It is through this indwelling and Christ's sacrifice that we can have an abundant life.

Christ's life and death wasn't just to give us eternal life. It was to give us an abundant life (on earth and in heaven).

I was brought to  tears recently when pondering Christ's sacrifice and how many people are living today. I was overcome with the thought that He died in vain.

Satan comes to steal our joy. He comes to destroy our peace. He comes to bring fear and anxiety and kill our hope. However, Christ came for the opposite! He came to bring joy, peace, and hope! When we live in fear and anxiety, are we not saying that what Christ did wasn't enough?

I am sometimes guilty of this myself, but then I remember what Christ has already done. He didn't give His life so I can live in fear! I have a hope-a hope and knowledge that all is in God's control and that He loves me and wants the best (His best) for me.

Christ's shed blood is enough! It is enough to give us life and to live it abundantly. It is not just for certain people; it is for everyone!

I pray I never live in a way that Christ's sacrifice seems in vain. I want to embrace all He has for me.Sometimes that means walking through the hard things with Him in order to get to the abundance on the other side.

Focusing on all that Satan is doing or trying to do isn't honoring Christ's sacrifice. Focusing on how Christ has already defeated Satan helps us keep the hope alive and draws us closer to a truly abundant life-a life filled with love, joy, and peace.

2 Year Anniversary!

Two years ago I made the decision to work on my health. I sold some items I had around the house and used that money to sign as an ambassador for Plexus and get my first month products. I didn't know how I was going to pay for future months, but I knew I needed to do something.

Within just a few days I saw improvements in my energy levels. Then I realized I was sleeping better. I went on to realize that I wasn't experiencing the normal aches and pains that I usually did during pregnancy.

God has provided for my supplements each month. The first month I earned enough to pay for most of the supplements I needed. The next month even more was paid for. The next month, all my supplements were paid for. After that, I was able to start Chad on the supplements as well using what I made to pay for them.

Over the next year, my income was enough some months to not only pay for our supplements, but provided some extra as well. We have also been able to try even more of what Plexus offers and have been able to have our children also use the products. I have even earned prizes during incentives that are above and beyond my earnings!

Plexus has been such a blessing to us in more that just our health. The financial benefits have been tremendous (especially now with Chad being laid off work due to the governor's mandates). I also found that I joined a family that day that has walked beside me in my journey. They offer encouragement, pray for me, and help me grow as a person regardless of the business.

I am so thankful that God brought Plexus into my life. I am thankful for my friend who continued to patiently share with me the benefits of Plexus. I am thankful for the financial help it has brought to our family.

Do any of these benefits sound like something you would like to see? I would love to share with you as my friend shared with me!

Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called."

I am thankful that Paul goes on to tell us how that looks.

lowliness = humbleness

meekness = gentleness

longsuffering = persevering with patience

forbearing one another in love = holding each other up with love/taking care of each others/ supporting each other lovingly

endeavouring to keep unity = doing as much as we can to be unified but also realizing it will take the Spirit to help us.

I have the tendency to turn things like this into a checklist of how I am to live, but that is not the intent. This is a guide for us. In the end, it can't be just about how we act, but it is an heart issue. These actions need to come from a heart that loves God and loves others. If we are just worried about how it looks externally then we truly aren't walking worthy of God's calling on our lives.

Also, notice that all these things can be done by everyone. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, if you have a job outside the home or if you keep the home, or even if you have lots of friends or just a few. We can all walk worthy if we have a heart that truly loves God.

Workmanship

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I love this verse! It is a great reminder that God made us! The word, "workmanship" has a connotation of high quality. So, not only did God make us, but we are of high quality!

Created has the literal sense of forming and shaping us with His hands, but in the Greek, it also means to completely change or transform. So, God formed us, but then also transformed us through Christ Jesus!

God desires all to know Him! He has ordained (made ready) that all should be transformed and walk with Christ.

Have you accepted His transformative power and walk with Christ?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 20:29

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

So many women spend hundreds of dollars a year on covering their gray hair. Why? God tells us that gray hair is a beauty in old age. It shouldn't be something that we try to cover up.

God's Gift

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There is absolutely no way we can save ourselves. When we try to be good enough or do enough good, it can never be enough. It is only through the blood of a perfect sacrifice that our sins can be covered.

The only thing we can do is to accept the gift from God of His Son. A gift doesn't mean that it is automatically ours. Just as you need to receive a gift on your birthday, you need to receive the gift from God. He makes the gift available to everyone; however, not everyone accepts it.

Have you accepted God's gift?

Raised Up

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

For some reason, as I read this verse, I picture the scene from Lion King where the father lifts up Simba so all the animals can see. He was so proud of having a son that he wanted all to know.

Isn't it similar with God and us? His desire is for us to know Him and accept Christ's sacrifice. When we do, He is excited about happy. He wants others to know that there is a new addition to His family.

He not only raises us up to be recognized, but raises us from our lowly state to the heavenly realms where we will reside with Christ.

Oh, what a glorious thought!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 19:14

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

I read this and see instructions for life. We are to live in such a way as to leave things for our children. I have heard some people say that their children don't deserve anything and they are going to spend it all while they can, but that is just not biblical. As a woman, I am called to be prudent which means wise, understanding, to give attention, to teach. I can't just set back and let my husband do all the hard work.

By Grace

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Sin brings death (Genesis 2:17, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.). While Adam and Eve may have thought physical death, it actually meant the spiritual death-death of the relationship with God.

We are able to restore/make alive that relationship with God but there is only one way-through the blood of Christ. God, in His grace and mercy, created a way for us to live again.

We can't do enough good works to revive the relationship. Renewal of life only comes by confession and redemption by Christ's shed blood for us.

Thank you, Lord, for Your grace!

But God

Ephesians 2:4

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

But God.

I have come to love those two words. It means that when we feel one way or think one way, that God is different and has different plans.

In the verses preceding this, we are told of how wicked we were before knowing Christ-how depraved our lives were. However, even in that depraved state, God loved us! His love for us was so great that He sacrificed His only Son for us. He showed us mercy not because we deserved it, but because He loves us.

But God.

Those words bring me hope when I hear them!

Quickened

Ephesians 2:1

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

quickened = made alive

Why would we need to be made alive? It says right there-because we were dead in our sins.

We aren't physically dead (although physical death is a part of sin), but we are spiritually dead due to sin. Sin separates us from God; therefore, we are spiritually dead.

What I find amazing in all of this is that God not only loved us enough to want to make us alive again-to be spiritually alive, but the cost of doing so. He sacrificed His only Son for us! That is some amazing love!

Holy and Without Blame

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

I have been reading Ephesians 1:1-14 everyday for a while as I study who I am in Christ. For some reason the second half of verse four stood out to me, "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

The idea that I can be "holy and without blame" is humbling and mind blowing to me.

As humans, we tend to hold on to past hurts-either our own or those done to us, or even those we have done to others. However, this verse shows that we can stand before God without any of those hurts!

It is not until we are washed in the blood of Christ that we are truly clean. It is only then that we can be found "holy and without blame" because God only sees Christ.

Revelation 1:5 tells us that we are washed "from our sins in his own blood."

The purpose of washing is to remove dirt and grim. We do it to be clean and without blemish. The only way to do that with our sin is with what is pure and holy-Christ's shed blood-blood that was shed for us for that purpose.

Once we are washed, God removes our sin "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12). That means they are removed from us so far they are gone. We no longer need to carry them or see them when we look in the mirror.

Praise God for His mercy and grace!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Pride usually blinds our eyes to our shortcomings and areas that need improvement. If we continue to ignore the problems, they will continue to  grow and will cause destruction. However, when we are humble enough to look at our faults and seek wisdom, then we can grow, mature, and become worthy of honor. No one is perfect and only those who are humble enough to know that will receive true honor.