He Hits The Restart!

It's not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. God doesn't want our success; He wants us. —Charles Colson

Wow. That is powerfully true. Sometimes it's easy to feel like we always need to do 

things to measure up to other people, to be one step up on the ladder to feel like we 

are better than someone else. Or maybe because we want to be known for our 

successful doings so the world can love us....But that's not what God wants at all! He 

wants US. It's that simple. He wants us to surrender all to Him! And when 

we do,everything else will fall in place. I know I myself am guilty of not fully surrendering 

certain aspects of my life to Jesus, just because I think I can figure things out on my own. 

I am sorry to say that sometimes I do think I can do things on my own  

without anyone's help...but Jesus, so merciful and so loving is there to convict me and 

show me of my pride and my absolute need to let Him take over. In other words, "Jesus 

take the wheel! Take it from my hands, because I can't do it on my own." :) Truly though, 

when we do let Jesus take the wheel, all those little things we thought were issues 

and couldn't figure out on our own, just fallinto place perfectly. He gives us such a joy as  never before. He wants us to want nothing but Him...because He  is the One who satisfies us fully! One of my very favorite songs states this perfectly:  
Make me broken
So I can be healed
'Cause I'm so calloused
And now I can't feel
I want to run to You
With heart wide open
Make me broken

'Til You are my one desire
'Til You are my one true love
'Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me

        

It's true...Jesus does want us to be broken. Broken to see how much we are sinners and how much we so need Him. He showed me His love and mercy. He loved me even when I was unlovable. That's how amazing our God is.....He turns everything around in our lives!  He hits the restart!

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved." Psalm 62:1-2

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:8

How do we live a pure life in a very impure world? It is really hard--with all the music,TV, social media, movies, and just everything surrounding us nowadays! Well, it starts in our thoughts. That's because before we even do something that is a sin, we think unholy thoughts, which lead eventually to actually doing it. So how can we stay godly in our thoughts in such an ungodly world? One way is surrounding ourselves with the right friendships. Our friends truly do affect our thinking! Another one is listening to Scripturally sound sermons, which really renew our minds and shape how we think. That's not to mention how much listening to godly music, and just about every aspect of technology and social media really affects us too. One good verse to encourage us to be godly and not conform to the world's views is Romans 12:2:And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
And of course, prayer is very important in our walk with God. He is the One who ultimately we are accountable to!

Psalm 16:11

So I was thinking....

So I've been thinking...It would be sooo cool to be a missionary to some foreign, third-world 
country. Wouldn't that be absolutely amazing?!?! Maybe one day. Maybe God will call some of us to go there...But, hey! Who said we can't be missionaries right where we are, in the mean time? Being on the mission field doesn't necessarily mean in a different part of the world (although it could be!). Being a missionary could mean simply sharing Jesus with that little kid down the street or giving the cashier a Gospel tract, or even just not compromising and giving in to pressure. Although the others may laugh and think you're weird, that's how you let your light shine. They will see that there is something different about you, and It may even cause them to ask you questions about your faith and Jesus! Just because you're young, don't let that discourage you from serving God, as it says in 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, in purity.)  Pray for opportunities to be used for eternal purposes, and don't let this special stage in your life be wasted--it only comes once! :) :) 

Reflections upon the past year......

Wow. 2015 next week! Where has the time gone?!?! As I was reflecting on different things that happened during this past year, this verse came to mind, which is definitely my very favorite verse!  I absolutely love it because it says that, even though we may not know the big picture of things at the moment, God's got it all under control. He still hasn't finished his perfect master plan for our lives yet (I'm so thankful for that!) If it wasn't for Him, who knows where any of us would be?? Philippians 1:6 is definitely very special to me since it is one of the verses God revealed to me when he brought me to salvation through his saving grace. Although I have like two million goals I need to accomplish and certain areas in my life I really need to work on, God is so good!! He ain't finished with me yet!! :-)  Who knows what big plans God has in store for us in 2015?!?! 

Link for Christmas Coupon Book Printables!

Found these on Pinterest......they make GREAT stocking stuffers for parents. And believe me, they really will love them!

Here's the link....
http://www.couponcloset.net/free-christmas-coupon-book-printables-for-mom-and-dad/