This has been something on my mind lately, and I was wanting to know if others were feeling the same thing too? Let me know! Leave comments and be praying for the situation that you might be involved with that fits here...
Do you ever ask God why? Why does this sitaution have to happen to me? Why does life have to be difficult during this one time? Why do I have to learn a lesson from this? Why do I have to loose this family member? I often keep wondering why. I know I'm not alone in this either. I think we all ask why. I think we ask why either about something we ourselves are going through, or why one of our family members is going through something. We ask God why. It's our human nature to ask why. We don't know how to act not asking God why.
I found several passages of scripture that I thought was very fitting for me. It's hard to not ask why. We must remember that there is a mighty and powerful God, bigger than you and I could ever be, that knows the answer to the WHY question. He knows why something needs to happen to you. He knows why He is forcing this on you. But He also knows what you will gain from the experience and what you will learn that will be forever important.
God understands what He is doing. He knows exactly what is going on. After the situation I question, I always sit back later and think "I wouldn't be the person I am without that one situation that I had to go through earlier." Sometimes it's really difficult to understand, and even more often it's impossible to understand why.
Always remember that God knows why and knows how, but we can't know until He's ready to. Pray to God, that if He can't give you the answers, that He would at least give you peace about the situation. Never forget that God loves you, and wants all the best for you. He loves us all, and even though He may not tell us the answer, He knows the answer to all our questions.
"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:5-7
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Day 35: Isn't Our God...
so wonderful? He is so perfect, and so powerful. I just think every day about how mighty He is. He knows my name, knows the number of hairs on my head, but also knows that about each and every person on this Earth. He made everything and made the Earth to be perfect.
He made our bodies to be perfect in each and every single way. He made babies to know what to do and how to do it when they are born to gain their nutrition. He made the animals to know how exactly to fit into nature, and what to do in order to live and surivive on Earth.
God made everything. He took the time to make you absolutely perfect in His eyes. Take the time this week to just sit and think about all the things God has done for you, and all the things He orchestrated. He is so wonderful and mighty, and He deserves all our praise and love.
Also, I would like to announce a new and special arrival to my family today in my new little cousin born this morning. "For this child, we prayed" is the phrase on the plate in his nursery, and we prayed for him alright. Welcome to the world Cameron Wesley! :)
Have an amazing week! :) Love you all...
He made our bodies to be perfect in each and every single way. He made babies to know what to do and how to do it when they are born to gain their nutrition. He made the animals to know how exactly to fit into nature, and what to do in order to live and surivive on Earth.
God made everything. He took the time to make you absolutely perfect in His eyes. Take the time this week to just sit and think about all the things God has done for you, and all the things He orchestrated. He is so wonderful and mighty, and He deserves all our praise and love.
Also, I would like to announce a new and special arrival to my family today in my new little cousin born this morning. "For this child, we prayed" is the phrase on the plate in his nursery, and we prayed for him alright. Welcome to the world Cameron Wesley! :)
Have an amazing week! :) Love you all...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 24: My Daily Reminder
Is there a passage of scripture you know really well? Or a lesson you learned when you were in Sunday school that you can still think of and recall all the little details? One of the passages I have read in my Bible time and time again is the passage where Jesus is teaching about worry in Matthew 6:25-34.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your sapn of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothed the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow and is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we ath?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first fo the Kingdom of God and his righteousnesss and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
For some of us, this is the first time of reading this passage. For others of us, this is a very well-known passage and one that have read, studied and heard many times. All of us forget sometimes that worrying is not going to do anything for us, and isn't going to help in any way besides showing that God that we do not trust Him with what He is going to do for us. We get so wrapped up in our jobs, family, friends, and all the situations we face with each of those three categories that we forget there is a God in control who is going to take care of us, and provide for us, and all we have to do is give our worries and our troubles to Him and He's going to make sure we are all okay.
So today, or even starting tomorrow, take the whole day to not worry about anything. Not worry about what some person might think of you or say to you. Take the day to not worry about your career, your spouse or your children. Still care about them and love on them, but don't worry about a situation that you are facing with them. Take the whole day to give all your worries to God and to be worry free.
Hope you have an amazing day! ~Brittney
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your sapn of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothed the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow and is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we ath?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first fo the Kingdom of God and his righteousnesss and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
For some of us, this is the first time of reading this passage. For others of us, this is a very well-known passage and one that have read, studied and heard many times. All of us forget sometimes that worrying is not going to do anything for us, and isn't going to help in any way besides showing that God that we do not trust Him with what He is going to do for us. We get so wrapped up in our jobs, family, friends, and all the situations we face with each of those three categories that we forget there is a God in control who is going to take care of us, and provide for us, and all we have to do is give our worries and our troubles to Him and He's going to make sure we are all okay.
So today, or even starting tomorrow, take the whole day to not worry about anything. Not worry about what some person might think of you or say to you. Take the day to not worry about your career, your spouse or your children. Still care about them and love on them, but don't worry about a situation that you are facing with them. Take the whole day to give all your worries to God and to be worry free.
Hope you have an amazing day! ~Brittney
Monday, February 14, 2011
Day 22: My Valentine
Well, hello everyone and Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m so glad to know that today has been such a beautiful day, and the weather is so perfect! I also am so glad to know that God is in control and He is above all else in the world, including the perfect timing of these forty days. This is my fifth Valentine’s Day to be single, and each year it gets a little easier, but it’s still a little tough to be single on Valentines. Everyone around you it seems has a Valentine, but this year is different. All the other years have seemed like it’s “Singles Awareness Day”. This year is so different for me. That’s not what it feels like this year. I have a Valentine. Let me tell you a little about him.
My valentine is a wonderful man. He is there for me when no one else seems to be around. He knows my every need, my every want, and my every desire. When there is something I am supposed to have or get, he knows when and he takes care of it right then and there. He loves me. Oh, how he loves me! He has done so much for me that if I started right at this moment thanking him for each and every thing he has done for me, and did it every day all day long, I would go the rest of my life and not finish giving him the thanks he deserves. He would lay his life on the line for me in order to save me, both on the Earth now and for all eternity. He holds such a special place in my heart, and without him in that place, I would have such a void I wouldn’t know where to begin to fill the void. My valentine is indescribable. There are not enough words to describe how amazing and awesome my valentine is. You want to know who my valentine is? It’s a man that has stolen my heart. He is a man that I want to spend my entire lifetime praising and worshipping. That’s right. My valentine is Jesus Christ. What an awesome present.
My valentine loves me so much. Read what God’s Word tells us about love in 1 John 4:19. “We love Him because He first loved us.” He loves us! He doesn’t just love me, but He loves each and every one of us. There are not enough words to describe it, not enough books to write it in, but know that He loves you, just like He loves me.
The first part of John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world…” It’s so incredible that He loves us the way He does. It’s so incredible to think about everything that He has done for us. It’s so awesome to know that when we feel as if there is not one person that loves us on this earth, we still have a God that loves us so much He would send His one son. Not one of His 3 or 4 or 5 sons. God has one son. He sent that one Son “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Not that we deserve this in any way, shape, form, or fashion. We don’t deserve anything that God provides for us. We sin against God, turn our backs on Him, and sometimes even use His name in vein. But He still loves us. He knew we would do those things, and yet He still loves us. It’s so awesome to think about the fact that He loves us that much! How else can we describe it!
When I think of a Valentine I think of someone that you share your heart with. Someone you think of as being so special to your life, and someone you can’t wait to spend time with. This person is so important to your life, that the moments you are together you never want to end and the moments you are apart you can’t wait until you are with them again. This person is who you wake up thinking about and you’re your head down at night thinking about. Someone that you love so much you would do anything for them. I think of someone that you just can’t live without. That’s how I think of Jesus. All those things are things that describe my relationship with Him.
The beauty of Christ is that this relationship I have with Him is not just for me, but for everyone who believes. You can live a life for Christ just like I have chosen to do. It’s so simple. You first must understand that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We have all messed up. But once you understand that we have all messed up, it’s time to turn from your ways. You simply have to ask God to forgive you of the things you have done wrong. Ask Him to forgive specific things you have done to turn your back on Him. Once you ask Him to forgive you of those things, the Bible says “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions (sins) from us.” (Psalm 103:12) Once you do that, ask Him to come into your life. Give God an invitation to live inside your heart, and to be your savior that you have never had before. Open your heart up and allow God to come inside and live for you. Then, you can contact someone to help you understand what you have done. If you would like, you can send an e-mail to me, Brittney, at the address and I will be more than happy to talk to you. It’s the MOST important decision you will make in your life. Living a life for God is the MOST important and BEST thing you can ever do!
I’m spending my day with my true valentine. When everything else of the world is gone, I will know that my valentine is still there. When all the other people have failed me, or my heart is broken, Jesus is my valentine that will never leave me and never forsake me. I hope He is your valentine too.
Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! May God live and dwell in us all!
Brittney
getclosertohimblog@ymail.com
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Day 20: A Part of God's Family
A few days ago I was doing some reading in one of my books and it was so simple but touched me so much. We are all a part of God's family. No matter who your physical family is, if you are a believer in Christ, you are a part of God's family, and all the believers are your brothers and sisters. God's family. It makes it seem so simple and so awesome, doesn't it? It just makes me so happy to know that I am a part of his family. It's not just like I'm following Him, but He has made me a part of His family.
It also started making me wonder about how I treat my other family members? Do I treat them like I treat my physical family? Not all the time. Do I treat them like I would want to be treated my family members? Not all the time. It's so important to treat my family members (and for you to treat your family members) like you would want to be treated by your family members.
So as my family, know that I love you and am so thankful you have stuck with me for 3 weeks now during this time, and that you have been by my side! The blog reached over 600 views the other day, which made me so happy to know that people are viewing these posts and getting something out of them. Know that as my family I am praying for you, that everything in life is going how you would like it. And I hope you know that there is someone out there praying for you on a daily basis.
Looking forward to another 20 days, because I'm 20 down! :)
Brittney
By the way, on a personal note, I spent the afternoon with one of my sisters in Christ. We had so much fun, and took it upon ourselves to have a country photo shoot. (If you're not from Georgia, welcome! Here is what our sweet little Georgia looks like in the country! These pictures were taken by me and her, and we had so much fun, with our country accents and laughing and giggling all day! These are a few from the day, and we can't wait until we have another photo shoot!)
It also started making me wonder about how I treat my other family members? Do I treat them like I treat my physical family? Not all the time. Do I treat them like I would want to be treated my family members? Not all the time. It's so important to treat my family members (and for you to treat your family members) like you would want to be treated by your family members.
So as my family, know that I love you and am so thankful you have stuck with me for 3 weeks now during this time, and that you have been by my side! The blog reached over 600 views the other day, which made me so happy to know that people are viewing these posts and getting something out of them. Know that as my family I am praying for you, that everything in life is going how you would like it. And I hope you know that there is someone out there praying for you on a daily basis.
Looking forward to another 20 days, because I'm 20 down! :)
Brittney
By the way, on a personal note, I spent the afternoon with one of my sisters in Christ. We had so much fun, and took it upon ourselves to have a country photo shoot. (If you're not from Georgia, welcome! Here is what our sweet little Georgia looks like in the country! These pictures were taken by me and her, and we had so much fun, with our country accents and laughing and giggling all day! These are a few from the day, and we can't wait until we have another photo shoot!)
Friday, February 11, 2011
Day 19: A Song for Me.. Sharing with You!
Do you ever feel like there is a song that was written to speak directly to you? Or a song that describes your life so much that it makes you wonder if your closest friend wrote the song themselves? I have that feeling every once in a while about a song! And boy have I had that feeling about this one! On day one when I was taking a study break and turned on the radio, this was the first song that was playing and it seems like every time that I turn on the radio this song begins to play. I love it! Listen to the song and then take a look at the rest of this blog!
You are More by Tenth Avenue North
I love this song! The first verse alone is something that we have all dealt with. We all feel sometimes like we have messed up too much for God to still love us, or have not spent enough time with Him that He may want to just abandon us. There are people out there that feel like they have messed up too bad for anyone to care.. then comes the chours!
"You are more than the choices that you've made. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You are more than the problems you create. You've been remade."
It's so true! We are worth so much more! It's crazy to think about that God forgives us of our worst thoughts and actions, and forgets about them. To Him, we are worth so much more than anything else, including everything from our past.
Then comes the bridge! "This is not about what you've done, but what's been done for you. This is not about where you've been but where your brokeness brings you to. This is not about what you feel, but what He felt to forgive you."
This song speaks so many volumes to me that I can't describe. We are more. To God, we are so much more!
Put this song in your mind, on your iPod, or anything else you can because it's so special and important!
Enjoy the rest of your day!
You are More by Tenth Avenue North
I love this song! The first verse alone is something that we have all dealt with. We all feel sometimes like we have messed up too much for God to still love us, or have not spent enough time with Him that He may want to just abandon us. There are people out there that feel like they have messed up too bad for anyone to care.. then comes the chours!
"You are more than the choices that you've made. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You are more than the problems you create. You've been remade."
It's so true! We are worth so much more! It's crazy to think about that God forgives us of our worst thoughts and actions, and forgets about them. To Him, we are worth so much more than anything else, including everything from our past.
Then comes the bridge! "This is not about what you've done, but what's been done for you. This is not about where you've been but where your brokeness brings you to. This is not about what you feel, but what He felt to forgive you."
This song speaks so many volumes to me that I can't describe. We are more. To God, we are so much more!
Put this song in your mind, on your iPod, or anything else you can because it's so special and important!
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Day 17: Mathematics...
Hey everyone! I just got an email from my good friend from college Shawn that shared this YouTube video with me, and I couldn't wait to post this on the blog. Watch the video, especially if you're into mathematics! Even if you're not, you don't have to understand math to understand the video!
Let me know what you think!!
Brittney
Beauty of Mathematics
Let me know what you think!!
Brittney
Beauty of Mathematics
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Day 14: Constantly Praying and Thinking about God
Well, it's two weeks down and it's time to start another work week! I just wanted to share something that I have learned and hope to implement this week as a way to get closer with God in all areas of my life.
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in the act that we forget what we are truly doing. Like prayer. Prayer should be a conversation with God where we are truly talking with Him, as if we are talking to a parent or even a friend. We just get so wrapped up in the ritual tha we forget what we are really doing. Something I want to do this week is spend as much time as I can in prayer and conversation with God. One of the ways I am trying to do this is repeating Scripture or small phrases back to God, even if it's in my own heart, just to show God that I know He is with me and I want to talk to Him.
I have got as many sticky notes as I could and am writing scriptures on all of them. Any scripture or small phrase that I can say to God to speak to Him at all times. I am placing those sticky notes in areas that I am a lot. For example, I am placing them on my mirror in my bedroom, on my laptop where I write to all you readers, on my television, on my Bible, in my car on the steering wheel, in my planner, as the wallpaper of my cell phone, but everywhere I can I am putting these scriptures on them. The Bible teaches us that we should bury the Word in our hearts. What you bury in your heart is what you think of most often. Hebrews 4:12 says this about the Word of God: "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing een to the division of soul and spirit, and joints of marrow, and is a discenter of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
So this week I am burying the Word of God into my heart. I challenge you to do the same. Just one sticky note. If you read that sticky note enough times, you will find that you have memorized what that sticky note says and that you have learned one verse out of the Word of God.
I hope you have an awesome week, and carry God in your own life everywhere you go!
Brittney
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in the act that we forget what we are truly doing. Like prayer. Prayer should be a conversation with God where we are truly talking with Him, as if we are talking to a parent or even a friend. We just get so wrapped up in the ritual tha we forget what we are really doing. Something I want to do this week is spend as much time as I can in prayer and conversation with God. One of the ways I am trying to do this is repeating Scripture or small phrases back to God, even if it's in my own heart, just to show God that I know He is with me and I want to talk to Him.
I have got as many sticky notes as I could and am writing scriptures on all of them. Any scripture or small phrase that I can say to God to speak to Him at all times. I am placing those sticky notes in areas that I am a lot. For example, I am placing them on my mirror in my bedroom, on my laptop where I write to all you readers, on my television, on my Bible, in my car on the steering wheel, in my planner, as the wallpaper of my cell phone, but everywhere I can I am putting these scriptures on them. The Bible teaches us that we should bury the Word in our hearts. What you bury in your heart is what you think of most often. Hebrews 4:12 says this about the Word of God: "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing een to the division of soul and spirit, and joints of marrow, and is a discenter of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
So this week I am burying the Word of God into my heart. I challenge you to do the same. Just one sticky note. If you read that sticky note enough times, you will find that you have memorized what that sticky note says and that you have learned one verse out of the Word of God.
I hope you have an awesome week, and carry God in your own life everywhere you go!
Brittney
Friday, February 4, 2011
Day 12: Pressing On!
It's almost been 2 weeks, and what a ride God has taken me on so far!
I tried something new tonight and can't share all my secrets just yet about things to come, but I'm so excited..
I just wanted to share one verse tonight and just the prayer of my heart. The verse I wanted to share was from Philippians 3:14. This is what the verse says:
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I have a goal. The goal is to get through these forty days and learning so much and becoming so close to God and how He wants to use my life. Each day I get up and want to begin to dig into the Word and focus all my attention and my everything on what has been taking place in my life. But then the things around me begin to get in the way. Schedules get in the way of study time. A TV show comes on that I want to watch but don't feel like I should. Something needs to be done to get ready for the next day. Routines become more and more apparent.
In our own lives, sometimes we get so caught up in a routine that by trying to change the routine it's like we are completely changing the world. Does anyone else ever feel like that? Well, that's what I did in these forty days. I took all my usual routines when I couldn't fit time in to really soak up God's Word and put all those routines in the trash and developed this new routine of study and focus on God.
Sometimes Satan is so apparent and around me I can feel him. He wants me to mess up. He wants me to settle into what I have been doing. He wants to trip me up so that he can say that I failed. But every time I just stop and pray and ask God to put me right back where I was and keep right on going. Then I think about Philippians.
I have a goal through this process. God has major plans for me, and I want to use these forty days to seek Him out and find out what that goal is. I know there are big things for me, and I can't wait to see what those big things are! So when you start wondering how I am and how things are going, go back to this verse.
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Satan is present and wants me to fail at this, and doesn't want me to gain another step between God and I. But my God is stronger than Satan could ever be, and my God will support me and love me regardless of anything else that may happen in my life!
Thanks for keeping up, and hopefully there will be more news very soon!
Brittney
I tried something new tonight and can't share all my secrets just yet about things to come, but I'm so excited..
I just wanted to share one verse tonight and just the prayer of my heart. The verse I wanted to share was from Philippians 3:14. This is what the verse says:
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I have a goal. The goal is to get through these forty days and learning so much and becoming so close to God and how He wants to use my life. Each day I get up and want to begin to dig into the Word and focus all my attention and my everything on what has been taking place in my life. But then the things around me begin to get in the way. Schedules get in the way of study time. A TV show comes on that I want to watch but don't feel like I should. Something needs to be done to get ready for the next day. Routines become more and more apparent.
In our own lives, sometimes we get so caught up in a routine that by trying to change the routine it's like we are completely changing the world. Does anyone else ever feel like that? Well, that's what I did in these forty days. I took all my usual routines when I couldn't fit time in to really soak up God's Word and put all those routines in the trash and developed this new routine of study and focus on God.
Sometimes Satan is so apparent and around me I can feel him. He wants me to mess up. He wants me to settle into what I have been doing. He wants to trip me up so that he can say that I failed. But every time I just stop and pray and ask God to put me right back where I was and keep right on going. Then I think about Philippians.
I have a goal through this process. God has major plans for me, and I want to use these forty days to seek Him out and find out what that goal is. I know there are big things for me, and I can't wait to see what those big things are! So when you start wondering how I am and how things are going, go back to this verse.
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Satan is present and wants me to fail at this, and doesn't want me to gain another step between God and I. But my God is stronger than Satan could ever be, and my God will support me and love me regardless of anything else that may happen in my life!
Thanks for keeping up, and hopefully there will be more news very soon!
Brittney
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Day 10: We All Need the Cure!
Sorry it's taking me so long to get back with all of you! It feels like I haven't added a post in a while, and know you've all been waiting on one!
I have been continuing with all my readings on different days now, because frankly I have made my reading list way too long! :) But I'm enjoying all of it, and God is using each of the books I am reading to teach me more and more about what He has to offer me.
Like I mentioned in one of the other posts, I'm doing a study on Romans right now. I read through and studied Romans 3 the other day and had something I really wanted to share. This was something written as a commentary in one of my Bibles I have been using, and thought it was so true and wanted you all to read it also.
Romans 3:9-20 -> The Need for a Cure
If a doctor suddenly appeared on a televiosion news program announcing, in a excited voice, a cure for the Paraguayan flu, who would notice? For his discovery to impress us so deeply that we would seek vaccination, he would first need to prove the terrible danger of the unknown virus.
Paul's message in Romans is the great news about God's amazing grace: A complete cure is available to all. But people won't seek a cure until they know they are ill. Thus, Romans beings with one of the darkest descriptions in the Bible. Paul concludes, "There is no one who is rigteous, not even one." The entire world is doomed to spiritual death unless a c ure can be found.
What a perfect picture for us. There are people we see on a daily basis that don't even know they are sick. They don't even know that they need God and the saving grace that He can provide. People don't understand what God accomplished through the life of Jesus. They don't understand that God provided a cure for the spiritual death that people are living in. Jesus died on a cross because by doing that He could save humankind from spending their eternity in Hell. Jesus did that specially for YOU, the reader of this post.
Jesus provided the cure. He provided the cure in the way of the cross, and showed us that He loved us enough to provide that cure. All we have to do is pray and ask for the cure.
Go out into the world and tell people that they need the cure. I don't mean scaring them into it, but showing them that they are dying a spiritual death and they need the cure for the disease, which lies specially in Jesus and praying and asking for Him to come live their life. Such an awesome concept, that Jesus is our cure.
He is our cure!
More to come soon! Go out and share with others about the cure!
-Brittney
I have been continuing with all my readings on different days now, because frankly I have made my reading list way too long! :) But I'm enjoying all of it, and God is using each of the books I am reading to teach me more and more about what He has to offer me.
Like I mentioned in one of the other posts, I'm doing a study on Romans right now. I read through and studied Romans 3 the other day and had something I really wanted to share. This was something written as a commentary in one of my Bibles I have been using, and thought it was so true and wanted you all to read it also.
Romans 3:9-20 -> The Need for a Cure
If a doctor suddenly appeared on a televiosion news program announcing, in a excited voice, a cure for the Paraguayan flu, who would notice? For his discovery to impress us so deeply that we would seek vaccination, he would first need to prove the terrible danger of the unknown virus.
Paul's message in Romans is the great news about God's amazing grace: A complete cure is available to all. But people won't seek a cure until they know they are ill. Thus, Romans beings with one of the darkest descriptions in the Bible. Paul concludes, "There is no one who is rigteous, not even one." The entire world is doomed to spiritual death unless a c ure can be found.
What a perfect picture for us. There are people we see on a daily basis that don't even know they are sick. They don't even know that they need God and the saving grace that He can provide. People don't understand what God accomplished through the life of Jesus. They don't understand that God provided a cure for the spiritual death that people are living in. Jesus died on a cross because by doing that He could save humankind from spending their eternity in Hell. Jesus did that specially for YOU, the reader of this post.
Jesus provided the cure. He provided the cure in the way of the cross, and showed us that He loved us enough to provide that cure. All we have to do is pray and ask for the cure.
Go out into the world and tell people that they need the cure. I don't mean scaring them into it, but showing them that they are dying a spiritual death and they need the cure for the disease, which lies specially in Jesus and praying and asking for Him to come live their life. Such an awesome concept, that Jesus is our cure.
He is our cure!
More to come soon! Go out and share with others about the cure!
-Brittney
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Day 7: Start the Work Week with Laughs!
While cleaning out my emails I found an email of Christian cartoons that I received a while back and some of them were so awesome!! My plan was to share them with you here, but for some reason the pictures are not being allowed to post. So I am sharing the link instead. Go to the page and today's comic will be on there. You can also click archives and find tons of them here!
Which one did you find the funniest? Share with everyone!
Have a wonderful week and keep checking in and leaving those awesome comments!
Brittney
http://reverendfun.com/
Which one did you find the funniest? Share with everyone!
Have a wonderful week and keep checking in and leaving those awesome comments!
Brittney
http://reverendfun.com/
Friday, January 28, 2011
Day 5: Summing It Up.... for now!
Well hello blog readers! I promise I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth, but I have tried to stay focused on studying God, and with everything in life and all the studying taking place, I haven't had the chance to catch you all up. So I'm hoping to catch you up a little... on the personal side of life as well as the spiritual side..
Some of you may have no idea about who I am or anything about me, but something very exciting happened to me on Wednesday. I got an e-mail from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission telling me that I had a new certificate to see!
Yes, the state of Georgia has decided that I can do it, and has awarded me with a teaching certificate! :) I was so excited that I needed a picture, even though I tired from working all day! I just knew that I wanted to share that wonderful news with all of you! More good news to come later, but I wanted to share about my certificate!
Now from God's perspective. This has been an incredible week. Proved to be a challenge at times, but God has proven to me that He is worthy of praise all the time, and I am honored that He desires my worship.
This week I have learned a lot, both about God and about myself. But if I take nothing else out of this experience, I am going to take away the closeness that I have with God now. The breath of Him has been on me, and I feel His prescence all around me, espeically when I am in His Word. I'm humbled and honored that God loves me enough to desire my worship and living my life for Him, and that's exactly what I plan to do. I plan to live my life for MY God!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and keep checking back in! I pray daily for those of you reading these blogs, that something you see and read will touch you in a mighty and powerful way.
Love you all! Brittney
P.S. Below are some pictures of my dry erase board in my room and some Bible verses that have spoken to me. When I find one that totally stands out or something that I just absolutely love, I write it on my board. So these are a few of the ones I wrote!
Some of you may have no idea about who I am or anything about me, but something very exciting happened to me on Wednesday. I got an e-mail from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission telling me that I had a new certificate to see!
Yes, the state of Georgia has decided that I can do it, and has awarded me with a teaching certificate! :) I was so excited that I needed a picture, even though I tired from working all day! I just knew that I wanted to share that wonderful news with all of you! More good news to come later, but I wanted to share about my certificate!
Now from God's perspective. This has been an incredible week. Proved to be a challenge at times, but God has proven to me that He is worthy of praise all the time, and I am honored that He desires my worship.
This week I have learned a lot, both about God and about myself. But if I take nothing else out of this experience, I am going to take away the closeness that I have with God now. The breath of Him has been on me, and I feel His prescence all around me, espeically when I am in His Word. I'm humbled and honored that God loves me enough to desire my worship and living my life for Him, and that's exactly what I plan to do. I plan to live my life for MY God!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and keep checking back in! I pray daily for those of you reading these blogs, that something you see and read will touch you in a mighty and powerful way.
Love you all! Brittney
P.S. Below are some pictures of my dry erase board in my room and some Bible verses that have spoken to me. When I find one that totally stands out or something that I just absolutely love, I write it on my board. So these are a few of the ones I wrote!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Special Post for Two Wonderful Men
This is just a quick post about something on my heart tonight. Today has been such an incredible day and so much excitement has happened in my life that I hope to share really soon. But for others this is a somber occasion.
Two of my very good friends are getting ready to send two of their loved ones over seas to serve our country. One of the girls is one of my good friends I went through college with. She is sending her husband to fight for our country. She is pregnant and getting ready to prepare to bring a child into the world and he is leaving to go fight for our freedom. The other girl is a wonderful woman I met while student teaching who is sending her son-in-law over seas. She loves him so much, and talks about him all the time. She feels like he is her son, and it shows in the pride she has for him.
Tonight I want to let these two ladies know, along with their families, that we are all praying for you. We are praying that God is going to wrap His protective armour around these two men so that they can do what God has asked of them, which is to fight for our freedom. We are also praying for you, along with all the other family that is around you, that you will feel peace and comfort in this difficult time you are facing.
Everyone reading this blog, please take a moment to pray for these two men. Pray for their families, and that they will make it back home safely to their home.
The picture below is dedicated to Steven and Kennon. Thank you men for your service to our country and we pray for a safe return!
Two of my very good friends are getting ready to send two of their loved ones over seas to serve our country. One of the girls is one of my good friends I went through college with. She is sending her husband to fight for our country. She is pregnant and getting ready to prepare to bring a child into the world and he is leaving to go fight for our freedom. The other girl is a wonderful woman I met while student teaching who is sending her son-in-law over seas. She loves him so much, and talks about him all the time. She feels like he is her son, and it shows in the pride she has for him.
Tonight I want to let these two ladies know, along with their families, that we are all praying for you. We are praying that God is going to wrap His protective armour around these two men so that they can do what God has asked of them, which is to fight for our freedom. We are also praying for you, along with all the other family that is around you, that you will feel peace and comfort in this difficult time you are facing.
Everyone reading this blog, please take a moment to pray for these two men. Pray for their families, and that they will make it back home safely to their home.
The picture below is dedicated to Steven and Kennon. Thank you men for your service to our country and we pray for a safe return!
Day 3: My Testimony
Hello followers! How awesome it is to have people that support me by simply logging onto this blog to see what is going on through this 40 days of spending so much time with God.
A day 2 update that didn't get on yesterday's post is that the message of last night in my book was that not only is it not about me but about God, I was not an accident. And neither were you. It's so cool to think that God thought about us, and planned us in the specific way He did. God doesn't make mistakes, and it's so cool to think the God that planned the environment, the Earth, and all the things around us also planned the very essence of me, and everything that is of me. Just like He did of you. I'm excited to see what day 3 is about. (By the way, I'm reading the book and doing the 40 days study at the very end of my night which is why it doesn't get posted on that day. In case you were wondering!)
Today I decided to continue with the Romans study, so I was in chapter two! Wow, what a chapter! So much was shared by Paul in the second chapter of Romans, and I learned a lot through this study. :) A couple of things that really stood out to me was first Romans 2:24. The verses before 2:24 talk about the Jews and that there were people that were preaching one thing and carrying out another. Romans 2:24 talks about what happens to people when they do this, "For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.' " The question that went with this verse asked the simple question: what are you doing in your life for the name of God? Are your actions making the name of God blasphemed or famous in his glory? I have never really thought about it, but I'm thinking about it tonight.
The other thng that was so powerful was that it talked about the heart that you have if you are living for God in the end of the chapter. The question posed was: Are you trusting in some religious rite you experienced years ago? What evidence in your life do people see your heart for God?
These two questions have really been on my heart tonight. I have been writing so many thoughts, and private thoughts between God and I. But I am really pondering this tonight. What am I doing in my life to, first, show that I am not relying on a rite that I took when I was seven years old but living to show how my heart longs and lives for God? It all goes back to making the name of Jesus famous in all the world.
Those are the thoughts for tonight. Prayers for each of you for sticking with me, and thank you for your support! Love you guys!
Brittney
A day 2 update that didn't get on yesterday's post is that the message of last night in my book was that not only is it not about me but about God, I was not an accident. And neither were you. It's so cool to think that God thought about us, and planned us in the specific way He did. God doesn't make mistakes, and it's so cool to think the God that planned the environment, the Earth, and all the things around us also planned the very essence of me, and everything that is of me. Just like He did of you. I'm excited to see what day 3 is about. (By the way, I'm reading the book and doing the 40 days study at the very end of my night which is why it doesn't get posted on that day. In case you were wondering!)
Today I decided to continue with the Romans study, so I was in chapter two! Wow, what a chapter! So much was shared by Paul in the second chapter of Romans, and I learned a lot through this study. :) A couple of things that really stood out to me was first Romans 2:24. The verses before 2:24 talk about the Jews and that there were people that were preaching one thing and carrying out another. Romans 2:24 talks about what happens to people when they do this, "For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.' " The question that went with this verse asked the simple question: what are you doing in your life for the name of God? Are your actions making the name of God blasphemed or famous in his glory? I have never really thought about it, but I'm thinking about it tonight.
The other thng that was so powerful was that it talked about the heart that you have if you are living for God in the end of the chapter. The question posed was: Are you trusting in some religious rite you experienced years ago? What evidence in your life do people see your heart for God?
These two questions have really been on my heart tonight. I have been writing so many thoughts, and private thoughts between God and I. But I am really pondering this tonight. What am I doing in my life to, first, show that I am not relying on a rite that I took when I was seven years old but living to show how my heart longs and lives for God? It all goes back to making the name of Jesus famous in all the world.
Those are the thoughts for tonight. Prayers for each of you for sticking with me, and thank you for your support! Love you guys!
Brittney
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Day 2: My Introduction
Well, two days are down in my forty days of purpose! I have not finished my studying for tonight but I wanted to go ahead and share my update on what was going on. I went on a mini-road trip with my cousin today to Columbus to take care of a few errands. While there, we ran into Lifeway Christian Bookstore. (For those who don't know me well, I love to read! Always been a weakness, so this kind of store is sometimes not a great idea!) While there, I found a couple of new study books to help guide me in studying some of God's Word. One of the study books is a focus on Romans, which is what I have started with. (I'm still reading the book about worship and still reading The Purpose-Driven Life book. Yeah, my reading list is a lot I know!)
Anyway, the Romans book began with studying the first chapter of Romans. After reading the first eight verses of Romans, I was concerned on where this book was taking me because I was already lost in the wording. After reading about three different translations it began to make more sense to me.
The first part of the chapter talks about Paul. Paul writes Romans as a letter to the followers of God in Rome. He is making his introductions in the first seven verses by explaining who he is. Then the book I am studying threw a big question at me. It said "If you could write an introduction like this one about yourself, what would you say about your relationship to Jesus, the gospel, to other people in the world, and to fellow Christians?" Wow, what a packed question. I began to really ponder that and finally began to write my own introduction. I shortened it and rewrote it on my dry-erase board in my bedroom so that I could see it frequently and remind myself of it.
I give you the challenge to sit down tonight and think about that question, and how you could honestly answer it. Read the introduction that is talked about here in Romans 1:1-7. Think about what you could write about yourself to make your introduction. I attached a picture of my board so you all could see what I wrote. (Just click on the picture to make it bigger!)
Excited for another day! I'm working tomorrow so I hope to carry the joy of Christ into the first grade classroom I get the priviledge to serve in tomorrow. God bless each of you readers, and prayers are lifted for you tonight. Have an awesome day and keep checking back in!
Brittney
Anyway, the Romans book began with studying the first chapter of Romans. After reading the first eight verses of Romans, I was concerned on where this book was taking me because I was already lost in the wording. After reading about three different translations it began to make more sense to me.
The first part of the chapter talks about Paul. Paul writes Romans as a letter to the followers of God in Rome. He is making his introductions in the first seven verses by explaining who he is. Then the book I am studying threw a big question at me. It said "If you could write an introduction like this one about yourself, what would you say about your relationship to Jesus, the gospel, to other people in the world, and to fellow Christians?" Wow, what a packed question. I began to really ponder that and finally began to write my own introduction. I shortened it and rewrote it on my dry-erase board in my bedroom so that I could see it frequently and remind myself of it.
I give you the challenge to sit down tonight and think about that question, and how you could honestly answer it. Read the introduction that is talked about here in Romans 1:1-7. Think about what you could write about yourself to make your introduction. I attached a picture of my board so you all could see what I wrote. (Just click on the picture to make it bigger!)
Excited for another day! I'm working tomorrow so I hope to carry the joy of Christ into the first grade classroom I get the priviledge to serve in tomorrow. God bless each of you readers, and prayers are lifted for you tonight. Have an awesome day and keep checking back in!
Brittney
Day 1 Update
Well, day one has come and gone. What an incredible day. I woke up this morning thinking it was going to be a dream because I had such an awesome day!
Yesterday morning God laid it on my heart to remove all the distractions from my life and to really begin to focus all my efforts on Him. What an awesome day that was. I could never begin to share with you all the things I learned, but here are a few highlights of things that really touched home with me.
1 Timothy 4:12 -> Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
1 Thessalonains 5:16-18 -> Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, I was able to read day one and complete day one in the journal I have that accompanies it. Some of the main things in the reading were:
I just have this drive and thirst for God right now. A thirst that cannot be quenched, and I hope it's a thirst that is never quenched. I am so excited to see what God shows me next.
Thank you for checking on me. You all reading this blog and keeping up with me is one of the things that is keeping me going through these next forty days. The readers of this blog are the people holding me accountable to do this for forty days. And I thank you for reading and praying for me, as I am praying for all of you, that something on this blog would touch your heart.
More to come! :) Brittney
Yesterday morning God laid it on my heart to remove all the distractions from my life and to really begin to focus all my efforts on Him. What an awesome day that was. I could never begin to share with you all the things I learned, but here are a few highlights of things that really touched home with me.
1 Timothy 4:12 -> Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
1 Thessalonains 5:16-18 -> Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, I was able to read day one and complete day one in the journal I have that accompanies it. Some of the main things in the reading were:
- You did not create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for. Just like a new invention, you have to consult the inventor or the Owner's Manual. In my life, I'm consulting the Owner (God) and the Owner's Manual (God's Word).
- You were my by God and for God - and until you understand that, life will never make sense.
- God was thinking of you and me long before you ever though about Him. His purpose for your life predates your conception. He planned it before you existed, and without your input!
I just have this drive and thirst for God right now. A thirst that cannot be quenched, and I hope it's a thirst that is never quenched. I am so excited to see what God shows me next.
Thank you for checking on me. You all reading this blog and keeping up with me is one of the things that is keeping me going through these next forty days. The readers of this blog are the people holding me accountable to do this for forty days. And I thank you for reading and praying for me, as I am praying for all of you, that something on this blog would touch your heart.
More to come! :) Brittney
Monday, January 24, 2011
Goodbye but Hello!
Well, I guess most of you are reading this blog post because you saw that I am giving up Facebook and other distractions to get close to God. I am so excited to start this journey to see what God has in store for me in these next few weeks. I am planning on giving up for the next 40 days as part of a book and Bible study that I am going to go through.
Several years ago, our church did a 40 day Bible study called The Purpose Driven Life and 40 Days of Purpose. I feel like it is time to revisit those principles as a college graduate and see what God wants to teach me. Therefore, I want to spend as much time as possible digging in God's Word and see what all He wants to show me. I need to remove the distractions of the world and focus on my Savior. That's the intentions of getting off Facebook for a while, along with other distractions in my life.
I encourage you to keep in touch with me through this blog over the next 40 days to see what all God has in store through this. I can't wait to see all the things He has that He wants to reveal to me, and hopefully I will get the chance to share some of those with all of you.
I also ask that you pray for me. I have a desire to learn so much about God and feel that the next 40 days of really praying and seeking God to see where He wants to take me in life is going to be powerful and mighty. Pray that I can stick it out with this and stick to my plans, but also have a desire to continue this and see all this through until the end.
I will be on this site frequently (hopefully!) posting things often, so leave comments, encouraging words, and be praying for me as I start this journey to really learn all about God and seek His will out for my life, as well as study and learn as much as I can about my God.
Thank you all so much for supporting me through all this, and hopefully I will get the chance to post all kinds of things to share with you!
Love You All, Brittney
Several years ago, our church did a 40 day Bible study called The Purpose Driven Life and 40 Days of Purpose. I feel like it is time to revisit those principles as a college graduate and see what God wants to teach me. Therefore, I want to spend as much time as possible digging in God's Word and see what all He wants to show me. I need to remove the distractions of the world and focus on my Savior. That's the intentions of getting off Facebook for a while, along with other distractions in my life.
I encourage you to keep in touch with me through this blog over the next 40 days to see what all God has in store through this. I can't wait to see all the things He has that He wants to reveal to me, and hopefully I will get the chance to share some of those with all of you.
I also ask that you pray for me. I have a desire to learn so much about God and feel that the next 40 days of really praying and seeking God to see where He wants to take me in life is going to be powerful and mighty. Pray that I can stick it out with this and stick to my plans, but also have a desire to continue this and see all this through until the end.
I will be on this site frequently (hopefully!) posting things often, so leave comments, encouraging words, and be praying for me as I start this journey to really learn all about God and seek His will out for my life, as well as study and learn as much as I can about my God.
Thank you all so much for supporting me through all this, and hopefully I will get the chance to post all kinds of things to share with you!
Love You All, Brittney
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Do Something.. Do Anything... Do it NOW!
One of the wonderful and exciting things at Passion events, including at Passion 2011, is the Do Something Now displays. Do Something Now is part of the Passion experince, where college students and volunteers at the Passion events can come and help out people in need, by donating money to the causes that have booths set up. Each cause deals with something different, and each dollar donated goes straight toward the cause. The charge at Passion 2011 was to donate $500,000 from the 22,000 college students in attendance. Some of the pictures below are from the Do Something Now experience.
Each of the attendees of Passion 2011 were asked to bring towels and socks to donate to the Homeless shelters of Atlanta through the Touch Atlanta project.
These are just some of the towels that were collected over the four days.
This was the project that helped stop sex trafficking in the Philippines. Each rescue mission would cost approximately $4,500 to rescue 15 girls.
When you donated money for this cause, you had your picture taken and it was placed on a board that had pictures of everyone that helped out this cause. The four of us that stuck together during Passion all donated to this mission.
This is the group of the four of us that all donated money to this mission. It was a wonderful to know we are helping young girls on the other side of the world who so desperately need it.
This was a station where you could spend $1 and pay to send 1 Bible to a person in Colombia where they have never been able to read the Bible because it is not in their language. When you spent your $1 you could write a dedication or prayer in your own language to the person receiving the Bible and also pray over the recipient. This was what these four men were doing.
This station is where students and volunteers could contribute money to help build homes for the victims of the Haiti earthquake over one year ago. One of the stories shared at Passion about a family that experienced the earthquake brought the entire Philips Arena to tears.
This was the display area for the station where money could be donated for those to have not had access to clean water in India.
This is the station that allowed those who wanted to offer to sponsor a child through Compassion International.
This station was for feeding hungry children in Africa who needed help with getting their everyday meals. The bowls hanging overhead were sent to the child that was being sponsored so they could eat from the bowl when they received their food.
This is only a small portion of the overall experience of Do Something Now. The real story of this is incredible. These photos were all taken between 11:15pm and 12:30am the last night we were at Passion 2011. Did you notice all the people around? There were some individuals who waited over an hour in a line in order to contribute money to a cause because they believed in that cause. How incredibly amazing is that?
The thing that is even more incredible is that at 7:45pm Louie Giglio, the founder of Passion events, came onto the stage with amazement in his face. He told us that we, the attendees of Passion 2011 had not met their goal of raising $500,000 but exceeded it in that we had already donated $700,000. Four hours later there were still lines at each of the stations where people wanted to donate money for these causes.
The last morning we were given amounts to say the totals of the money donated at Passion 2011, but people were still flooding the stations even after the last session of Passion. In four days, college students blew the $500,000 goal out of the water! The students of Passion 2011 gave a total of $1,167,249.24 to the causes of Do Something Now.
But it's not about the money but about what you do. It's about how you help others. Helping someone does not include giving money alone, but by talking to them, calling to check on them, or just showing them that you care. It's about doing something, and about doing anything, to show the love of God to them. That's what Do Something Now was all about!
So do something! Do anything! Do it in God's name to show his fame!
Do Something.. Do Anything... Do it NOW!
http://www.dosomethingnow.com
This is only a small portion of the overall experience of Do Something Now. The real story of this is incredible. These photos were all taken between 11:15pm and 12:30am the last night we were at Passion 2011. Did you notice all the people around? There were some individuals who waited over an hour in a line in order to contribute money to a cause because they believed in that cause. How incredibly amazing is that?
The thing that is even more incredible is that at 7:45pm Louie Giglio, the founder of Passion events, came onto the stage with amazement in his face. He told us that we, the attendees of Passion 2011 had not met their goal of raising $500,000 but exceeded it in that we had already donated $700,000. Four hours later there were still lines at each of the stations where people wanted to donate money for these causes.
The last morning we were given amounts to say the totals of the money donated at Passion 2011, but people were still flooding the stations even after the last session of Passion. In four days, college students blew the $500,000 goal out of the water! The students of Passion 2011 gave a total of $1,167,249.24 to the causes of Do Something Now.
But it's not about the money but about what you do. It's about how you help others. Helping someone does not include giving money alone, but by talking to them, calling to check on them, or just showing them that you care. It's about doing something, and about doing anything, to show the love of God to them. That's what Do Something Now was all about!
So do something! Do anything! Do it in God's name to show his fame!
Do Something.. Do Anything... Do it NOW!
http://www.dosomethingnow.com
Thursday, January 6, 2011
1-1-11: A New Year, A New Beginning!
Passion was a true learning experience. There was so much information shared with us while we were there, and we were given so many examples of love, compassion, and amazing stories found in the Bible of things unimaginable but things that were done for you and me. How cool is that!
One of the nights we were at Passion our attention was directed to Philippians. We, the 22,000 college students in attendance, were asked to look in our Bibles and to say the first word that we saw in our Bibles. We didn't understand when we looked and it was the word Paul. Why the word Paul? What does it have to do with anything that would go with the date 1-1-11?
In the previous books of the New Testament until this point, one of the followers of Jesus was always referred to as Saul. When Philippians 1 starts out, the first word was Paul. After everything Saul had done in his past, the word Paul reveals that he was given a new start. Now I know that 1-1-11 is already come and gone, and I understand that it is important to remember that, but think about it. No one on this Earth is perfect. No one is close to being perfect. But we can always be followers of God. We can always be the ones that ask even our closest friends: Do you have a relationship with God that you are proud of?
Can others see Christ living in you? Without talking to you about it, can others see God through the way you live your life? Is God's light shining through you to show the world who He is? It may not be 1-1-11 but if there is something that needs to change in your heart, the change can start today. 1-1-11 may be an easy date to remember and a new start, but if you truly want to change your life and begin to live for God, then why not start today? Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today!
God wants us to live for Him. He wants us to let our lights shine so that others can see Him and we can share His love with the world! So tomorrow go out into the world and let the light and love of God shine through your words, your actions, and your thoughts!
God the person reading this right now is beautiful and wonderful in your eyes. They are seeking you and wanting to let you live through their lives. Come inside their heart, live in their lives, and show others how wonderful and powerful you are. Show them your light and love so that they can show that love and light to others in their world. Fulfill their desires to serve you, and be a beacon of light for you. Amen!
One of the nights we were at Passion our attention was directed to Philippians. We, the 22,000 college students in attendance, were asked to look in our Bibles and to say the first word that we saw in our Bibles. We didn't understand when we looked and it was the word Paul. Why the word Paul? What does it have to do with anything that would go with the date 1-1-11?
In the previous books of the New Testament until this point, one of the followers of Jesus was always referred to as Saul. When Philippians 1 starts out, the first word was Paul. After everything Saul had done in his past, the word Paul reveals that he was given a new start. Now I know that 1-1-11 is already come and gone, and I understand that it is important to remember that, but think about it. No one on this Earth is perfect. No one is close to being perfect. But we can always be followers of God. We can always be the ones that ask even our closest friends: Do you have a relationship with God that you are proud of?
Can others see Christ living in you? Without talking to you about it, can others see God through the way you live your life? Is God's light shining through you to show the world who He is? It may not be 1-1-11 but if there is something that needs to change in your heart, the change can start today. 1-1-11 may be an easy date to remember and a new start, but if you truly want to change your life and begin to live for God, then why not start today? Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today!
God wants us to live for Him. He wants us to let our lights shine so that others can see Him and we can share His love with the world! So tomorrow go out into the world and let the light and love of God shine through your words, your actions, and your thoughts!
God the person reading this right now is beautiful and wonderful in your eyes. They are seeking you and wanting to let you live through their lives. Come inside their heart, live in their lives, and show others how wonderful and powerful you are. Show them your light and love so that they can show that love and light to others in their world. Fulfill their desires to serve you, and be a beacon of light for you. Amen!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Living to Make Jesus Famous!!
Well, it's a new year! We have all rang in the new year, threw the confetti, and most of us have begun back to work in 2011. But I wonder something. Can 2011 be a different year than 2010? Can we make changes in our lives that will greatly change how 2011 goes compared to 2010? I believe we can. Even though you may not want to change how your life went in 2010, does God want you to make a change that will impact how you live in 2011?
If you are my friend on Facebook, you've been seeing my status and even a photo album labeled as "Making Jesus Famous". Wondering what that means? Where that came from? Well, I will try my best in the next few posts to sum up an amazing four days in Atlanta, Georgia called Passion 2011.
This is inside Philips Arena on January 1, 2011 where 22,000 college students were inside Philips Arena and Georgia World Congress Center all for one purpose: to make the name of JESUS famous!
The conference was not about the names of the people that sang there. It was not about the names of the speakers who came and presented a message. It was about something much more meaningful. It was about time with you and your Father, studying His word, singing praises to God, and showing the love that He has to others around you. Making new friendships and relationships, while strengthening the ones you came with. Passion was much more about making the people of Passion famous, but about making the name of God famous!
Over the next few posts, I hope to give one small glimpse of what God showed to me while I was at Passion 2011 so you can just get a glimpse of how incredible these four days were!
If you are my friend on Facebook, you've been seeing my status and even a photo album labeled as "Making Jesus Famous". Wondering what that means? Where that came from? Well, I will try my best in the next few posts to sum up an amazing four days in Atlanta, Georgia called Passion 2011.
The conference was not about the names of the people that sang there. It was not about the names of the speakers who came and presented a message. It was about something much more meaningful. It was about time with you and your Father, studying His word, singing praises to God, and showing the love that He has to others around you. Making new friendships and relationships, while strengthening the ones you came with. Passion was much more about making the people of Passion famous, but about making the name of God famous!
Over the next few posts, I hope to give one small glimpse of what God showed to me while I was at Passion 2011 so you can just get a glimpse of how incredible these four days were!
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