24

"So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin." Romans 7:14-25

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love,following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

I'm am amazed in all the ways God directs us, He has put everything before us that we need to know. Nothing happens that He doesn't know about, and prepare us for. Can you just take a moment and think about that? He's gone before us, He's with us and He will be after us. I don't know about you but I need that daily. Moment by moment breath by breath, I just have to breath Him in.

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galatians 1:10

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:20

Going through the days I have just become stagnant.Just deciding that God couldn't possibly be doing anything. Which of course is a lie. A lie that I had chosen to believe, one that just got into my mind and until recently was living. As you could tell I hadn't been blogging. With good reason, what was I to say? How could I encourage when I wasn't at a place to open my mouth. I know that I am exactly where God wants me. I know that He is doing wonderful things, in the past week He has shown me so much.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his spirit. then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light. Ephesians 5:10-14 See the world wants us to be overrun with hardships and seeing no hope, When God clearly has a plan for us a path to follow. It's our choice what we decide. Just today my man was telling thing 1 how we can choose to be happy, or choose to be grumpy. Just like we can choose to follow Christ's path or the worlds.

This is what the Lord says; Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you find rest for your souls. But you reply,"No that's not the road we want!"Jeremiah 6:16

See the problem isn't with God, He's ready and willing to give us rest. Rest for our souls, and yet we choose to walk in the opposite direction.

Nevertheless, that time for darkness and despair will not go on forever.The Land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. Isaiah 9:1

Praise Jesus! We don't have to live in the darkness, that is an incredible blessing.

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost it's flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp is placed on a stand,where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:13-16

I don't want anything to come in between my relationship with Christ. I don't want to choose the world over Him, I don't want doubt to overwhelm.

Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith! Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?"they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!Matthew 8:26-27"

We need to stop putting God is a tiny little box, We need to take a step back and see Him as the God he really is. One that knows me and you better than anyone else. To finish one of my all time favorite verses:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble, or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the scriptures say,"For your sake we are killed everyday; we are being slaughtered like sheep.*) No despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Niether death nor life, neither angels nor demons,*neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:35-39

Don't let the world overcome you my sweet friends, Christ has brought us to this place and He will never let anything happen that is beyond His control. Praying for you each and everyday. S.

Walking into walls

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." Psalm 37:23-24

It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. Proverbs 13:19

Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.Proverbs 14:27

You can make many plans, but the Lords purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

Good Morning! I was reading in my bible thinking about how long it's been that I've blogged. While thing 1 & 2 are busy. I thought I would just open my laptop and start some writing this morning. Lately I have been having loads of family time, which has been lovely. Watching the kiddos being able to be apart of everything has been a blessing beyond compare. I have really been taking steps back to Let God control my walk. I kept running into walls and stubbing my toe and just hurting myself. Yesterday I literally hit my head off the fan. It's easy to believe it was all accidents but I could see there was a bigger picture. When I try to run my life, I get hurt. Does that happen to you? I let the things people say and do affect who I am. Which is not what Christ has for me at all.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

You are going to get so many mixed messages in this world. You are going to be lied to , cheated on in one way or another and hurt. The thing is that Christ is the Healer. He can take those wounds and clean them up. He's the best kind of healer, He leaves no scars. I have so many scars on the outside that I can tell you what happened, where I was and what I did. Inside where Christ does the healing, you are going to have no scars! I pray that you can open your eyes today in all He's doing in your lives. I know it took getting hit in the head for me.I hope it's not the same for you. Mostly because it really didn't feel good, but for it I am thankful because it gave me the opportunity not to slip into old habits. Blessings on your week! All praise to God! For He is the only one worth praising.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your hearts desires.

S.

Keep your tongue from evil

I surrender all began playing on my pandora today. Whenever I think of that song I think it's beautiful. I yearn to be able to walk that song out. I know that out of things it's not the physical ones that I struggle to give up the most. You know what it is it's things like *control, *pride, * relationships, * my way . These are just a few and no I don't feel ashamed to admit I struggle. I think we all struggle, No I don't believe for one second everything you post on public websites is how you really feel. I think we all have become so obsessed with looking good to everyone else, that we are afraid to be vulnerable. Yes, I said that we are all struggling without Jesus. I was actually just talking to a friend about this, we are unable to be comfortable in the church. That is not what Christ intended, we end up guarding ourselves all the time. We end up keeping people at a distance because they end up hurting more then helping. I want you all to check yourselves. I had to do this recently and I want you all to do the same. When it comes down to giving advice, is your advice in alignment with the word? I have been receiving a lot of advice. I am incredibly thankful to the people that do bring me back to the truth. In this world where striving for Jesus has become the minority, we need to really check ourselves.I just pray I haven't led any of my friends down the wrong path. Letting worldly advice sneak in when it has no relevance in our lives with Christ. I think DC talk said it completely right "What will people think when they label me a Jesus Freak?" I totally loved this song as a kid, and now that I'm an adult it It applies more now that I am striving for Jesus. This is just a little something that has been on my heart and I just am going to end with scriptures. I pray they speak to you like they have to me. God Bless you all. S.

"Our ancestors trusted in you and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced. Psalm 22:4-5"

"Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Yet Jerusalem says "The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us." Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! Isaiah 49:13-15"

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with a divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6"

"For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2:10-11"

"Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Psalm 34:13"

Listening and Learning

Psalm 91 "1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”"

Hello! Wasn't that a refreshing Psalm, the bible is packed full of verses that just bring refreshment to our souls. It has been pretty busy here and I have been unable to write as I'm sure you've noticed. So many things have been coming up in my day to day that I have wanted to post about, and yet it always comes back to the truth. Not only are we reading God's truths, but are we living God's truth? Are we examples to this deep dark world? Are we doing everything we can to show Jesus when they may not know Him. Tonight as I was cuddling with Thing 1 we were reading this Psalm. It brought tears to my eyes because of how dark the world is, How life would be easier if we could rest in this hope and not waver. Yet consistently we are under attack, we are in spiritual warfare with everyone. Even in area's of our lives we think our safe, the only safety is in Christ alone.

" And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

I know that life can try to overwhelm, never think for one second God has forgotten you because He hasn't. He knows your name, He hears you!

"But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears."Psalm 18:6
This is a rather short update, just know I will try and spare a moment soon. Praying for you all. S.