Hello Folks! I'm so sorry that I haven't posted a well-written post in a while.:) My schedule has been crazy!
I'll be back on Sunday, so I'll be sure to start writing a post...
Steph
P.S. I know the picture is pretty random, but I love coffee drinks!
I just wanted to do a special post dedicating it to my precious brother and his wonderful debate partner! They have been doing so well! But, the thing that blesses me the most... is that they give the Lord all the glory! They have been shining bright lights! Their humility is beautiful! I love you Alan and Samantha! Your love for the Lord is amazing!
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.
Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!
In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quiet and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God's grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God's grace we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us.
Devotion taken from, Experiencing God, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
The stone floor was hard and cold against his head, and it relentlessly whispered to him of no possible chance of undisturbed sleep. A thick film of waste and scum seemed to crawl in every direction. The stench was unbearable. The young man ran his hands through his lice infested hair as he stared up through the opening in the ceiling. The sparkling stars radiated their light as if they were billions of fire flies. The unlimited stormy blue expanse blanketed across the horizon. All of it proclaimed the finger work of the greatest Artist, A Creator that created so many something’s out of nothing. He suddenly sat up and heaved a confusing sigh, in front of him lay a puddle of rain water; he got to his knees and peered into it. His reflection seemed to yell its doubtful questions. Thoughts began to paint themselves on the canvas of his weary mind. Do you still believe that God will carry out your dreams? Look at you! You're in a prison! You were sold by your very own brothers? Your flesh and blood! Dreamer, what makes you think that they will come true? It’s impossible! Your situation is hopeless!
God's promises are like the stars: the darker the night, the brighter they shine.
–Author Unknown
In Joseph’s circumstance, everything around him only seemed to scream that his dreams were impossibilities. What I find to be so amazing is that the Bible never mentions that he became bitter or angry with God. I’m sure he was confused at times...maybe even wondered what he could have done to have all these storms rocking his ship of faith. In the book, Come Away My Beloved, it states, “My Child, I direct every motion of your life, as the ocean bears a ship. Your will and intelligence may be at the helm, but divine providence and sovereignty are stronger forces. You can trust Me, knowing that any pressure I bring to bear upon your life is initiated by My love, and I will not do even this except as you are willing and desire. Many a ship has sailed from port to port with no interference from Me, because Strong Will has been at the wheel. Multitudes of pleasure cruises go merrily on their ways, untouched by the power of My hand. But you have put your life into My keeping, and because you are depending on Me for guidance and direction. I shall give it!” Joseph’s heart was a heart willing to go through anything that would prepare him for the call. May our hearts have that same cry! A soul willing and yielding to the Lord’s direction and guidance...
God has given me a dream, a promise... I am learning daily what it means to have faith that doesn’t quit believing just because of what the clock is telling me. If your dream isn’t fulfilled at a certain time or season that doesn’t mean that it is over. Think of all the incredible men and women in the Bible, ordinary men and women like you and me, who had to walk their lives by faith! We are called to do the same! Hebrews 10:36 states, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised!” Habakkuk 2:2-3, 4c Then the Lord replied, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay....the righteous live by faith.”
Brothers and Sisters, we are called to persevere, to believe, and to patiently wait for the promises that he has planted in our hearts, for the dreams that he has caused to blossom in each of our minds. I have to keep telling myself that God’s promises are true and that His plans can’t be thwarted. Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Praise the Lord! He is faithful, and even though we have to go through life’s storms we can still make it through because we have held tightly to our Savior! Bless you!
Here's a song that I hope encourages you,
My Savior My God
Aaron Shust
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior
I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior
That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior’s always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be
Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior
That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
I hope this devotion from the book, Come Away My Beloved, blesses you...
During my quiet time this morning, I read this Psalm...
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130
Isn't that beautiful? I love the part that says, "My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchman wait for the morning." I want that passion! I love David's heart for the Lord, he just couldn't get enough of His Creator! I want that zeal! What are your thoughts?
I have a praise to share...and I'm so excited about it! My Grandma and Grandpa are getting married! PRAISE THE LORD! They have been divorced for 12 years due to difficult circumstances. My Grandpa use to be heavy alcoholic and chain smoker when they were married, but since he had his stroke several years ago...he has been delivered from both his addictions! God is so very faithful! My Grandpa's one desire has been to marry my Grandma again! He recently proposed with the actual wedding ring about a year ago and she turned him down. But, God had been softening and working on my Grandma's heart for the past couple of months and just, last Sunday, she called him up crying and proposed to him! :) My Mom, Aunt, Sister and I were in the room when this took place. She started sobbing as she shared what the Lord had been revealing to her. My Grandpa was flabbergasted! His response was, "What!" He then started laughing and crying at the same time! It was so precious! This is truly a testimony of God's faithfulness! How sweet that it happened so close to Valentine's Day! God truly works all things together for good for those who love Him! I encourage you to trust Him in every situation!
I'll be sure to let you know when they set a date for their Wedding! But, I'm pretty sure my Grandma wants it to happen on their TRUE Wedding day that took place many years ago! I'm so thrilled!
~Stephanie
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its 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
How can we be salt and light this week? In what ways can we share Jesus' love to those around us who are lost?
Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals HIs secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
Christians spend much time talking about "seeking God's will," as though it were hidden and difficult to find. God does not hide His will. His will is not difficult to discover. We do not have to plead with God to reveal His will to us. He is more eager to reveal His will than we are willing to recieve it. We sometimes ask God to do things He has already done!
The people in Amos' day became disoriented to God and to His desires. God had revealed His will; the problem was that they had not recognized it or obeyed it. Amos declared that God does nothing in the affairs of humanity without seeking one of His servants to whom He will reveal His activity. Tragically, there are times when no one is walking closely enough with Him to be receptive to His word. (Isa. 59:16; 63:5; Ezek. 22:30-31).
Jesus walked so intimately with His Father that He was always aware of what the Father was doing around Him (John 5:19-20). Jesus said that if our eyes are pure, they will see God and recognize His activity (Matt. 6:22). If we are not seeing God's activity, the problem is not a lack of revelation. The problem is that our sin prevents us from noticing it.
When God is working in your friend's life or when His convicting your coworker, He may reveal His activity to you. His revelation is His invitation for you to join Him in His redemptive work. Be ALERT to God's activity around you. He will reveal His activity to His servants. If your spiritual eyes are pure, you will be overwhelmed by all that you see God doing around you!
Devotion from the book, Experiencing God, written by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
This morning, after I had my devotion time, I picked up a book titled, Believing God for His Best: How to Marry Contenment and Singleness. As I sipped my chocolate caramel chai enchantment tea, :) the words inscribed on each page seemed to tug at my heart! These were not just any words typed on paper, these words were anointed and empowered by Jesus to change the focus of and impact one's life. It caused me to ask myself, "Is marriage an idol in my life? Does Christ have first place in my heart? Do I find my security and identity in Him alone? Am I willing to trust Him completely? Am I ready to embrace these years?"
If we are ready and able to say that God can have total control in our lives, then why do we aggresively hold back this area? Why can't we just give the Lord the pen to write each of our love stories? He knows our desires, thoughts, dreams, goals, likes, dislikes, etc. Thus, He is more than capable of bringing someone into our lives to carry out the mission that He has placed in our hearts. "The two will be one flesh." There will be an agreement in each other's life callings.
I love thinking of our run towards Christ as one side of a triangle. Your future spouse as the other. When you go after Jesus (the top point of the triangle) wholeheartedly, suddenly you'll look over to your other side and see that special someone running after Jesus too! It's amazing! I encourage you, keep running hard! Don't let the temptations and distractions pull you off course! Stay focused! "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
Are we bold enough to speak up for what we believe to be true? What we believe to be right? What we believe to be holy? Do we have it in us to live unashamedly in all that we do, say, and think? Can we say "no" to the things that can so easily suck us into conforming like the world? What makes us set apart from unbelievers? I challenge you to ask yourself this: Are you prepared to embrace the cross and participate in Christ's sufferings? Are we?
There was the frantic clanking of pots and pans, the harsh sound of broom bristles against dirt floors and the sweet aroma of hot vegetable stew. The roughness of dirt residing on skin and beads of sweat collecting on one’s brow was visibly apparent. Jesus was here to visit! There was so much to do, in so little time!
In all the chaos of the preparations, there was but one heart that yearned to catch every word that slipped from the Master’s tongue. Determinedly, she fixed her eyes on His gentle face. His countenance was soft, but yet strong. Were these eyes truly able to see inside the windows of her soul? His heart, was it able to know every motive behind every action? His hands, were they the same hands that knit and formed her in her mother’s womb? His voice, was it the same voice that spoke worlds into existence and spun stars into the expanse? How could her mind wrap itself around such a revelation of undeniable truth and unfathomable depth? She was left in awe...
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
As we can see from this passage, Mary was captivated by her Savior. She was enraptured by His love for her and she yearned to prove her affection in a tangible way. In scripture, it states, “He who has been forgiven much, loves much.” Mary, in an earlier chapter, came to Christ with her alabaster jar. She anointed his feet with her tears of repentance and wiped them with her hair. Since she had been forgiven by her Savior for so many things, she was then able in turn to love more than others who were not forgiven as much.
It has been assumed, by many others, that Mary’s alabaster jar was her dowry. A dowry being something she would give her husband if she were ever to be married. In addition, Jewish women, back in those days, never let their hair down in public. Only on their wedding nights did they show themselves in that manner. Truly, Mary unashamedly exposed herself in the presence of her Lord. She desired Him to understand the genuineness of her adoration. In Mary’s eyes, Christ was the only thing on earth that mattered most to her.
Psalms 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forevermore.
Psalms 27:4
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Psalms 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Now, on the other hand, Martha was not all wrong in her service to the Lord. Often, life calls us to be busy with responsibilities and to carry out specific duties, whether it is school or work. But scripture clearly states that Martha was, “distracted”. How many distractions are set up as pit falls this time of year, with it almost being Christmas? Repeatedly, we fill up our calendars with a considerable amount of “good things” but end up distracting ourselves from what really matters most to the Father, which is a heart ultimately after Him.
Guys and Girls, together, let’s learn to keep a quiet heart before the Lord, honoring Him and worshiping Him with reverence and joy in everything we do! What can we do in our own personal lives this Christmas season to pour our love on Jesus?
Alabaster Jar
~Zach Neese
This alabaster jar, is all I have of worth
I break it at you feet Lord, it’s less than you deserve
You’re far more beautiful, more precious than the oil
The sum of my desires, and the fullness of my joy
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart
As an offering to my King
Here I am, take me
As an offering
Here I am, giving
Every heartbeat
For your glory
Take me
This time that I have left, is all I have of worth
I lay it at your feet Lord, it’s less than you deserve
And though I’ve little strength, and though my days are few
You gave your life for me, so I will live my life for you
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart,
As an offering to my King
Worthy, worthy, you are worthy
Worthy is the Lord
Pour My Love on You
~Phillips, Craig And Dean
I don’t know how to say exactly how I feel
And I can’t begin to tell You what your love has meant
I’m lost for words
Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think You are
My dearest Friend
Lord this is my desire
To pour my love on You
Chorus:
Like oil upon Your feet
Like wine for You to drink
Like water from my heart
I pour my love on You
If praise is like perfume
I’ll lavish mine on You
Till every drop is gone
I’ll pour my love on You
Written by: Stephanie Carrillo and Melanie Smith
Hey Guys! I read this wonderful devotion this morning and was so very touched by it! I hope it blesses you too!"
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
"Knowing God and having Him reside within you is a treasure of infinite value to that of a perfect pearl. The collector would readily sell everything he had in order to possess this one matchless pearl. Your relationship with God places an immeasurable value on your life. The treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge are available to you through Christ. His love now fills you. His incomprehensible peace surrounds your heart and mind. When Jesus dwells in your life, everything available to Christ dwells within you.
Paul was comparing our lives with the clay pots commonly used in his day. The contents of earthen vessels, not the containers themselves, were of great value. The jars would become chipped and broken and would deteriorate over time, but nobody thought of the jar-they were interested in its contents. Paul noted that our great possession is that which God has placed within us. When people focus on us they see a frail, imperfect, and deteriorating vessel. Nothing that comes from our flesh is worthy of praise. Our bodies are aging and losing strength. Only as we allow God to fill us and renew our inner self will people see a treasure of immeasurable worth.
Don't focus on outward appearances and physical strength, for these deteriorate. Rather, allow the Holy Spirit to convince you of the infinite treasure that is within you because of God's presence."
--Devotion taken from, Experiencing God, written by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
The lights slowly dim as the orchestra begins to compose its soft, peaceful melodies. The young couple stands facing each other. The man extends his welcoming hand, the woman graciously takes hold of it. Step by step, he leads. She follows. He leads. She follows.
In life it is the same way. Each of our relationships with Christ can be compared to a dance. The man leads, and the woman in response, follows. We, as the Bride of Christ, must in the same way surrender our impulse to take charge. Each of us must learn to submit, surrender, and die to the urge to control.
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. 1 Corinthians 7:34b
For several weeks I have felt very distracted; so distracted that my aim and desires have been turned to other things instead of being solely placed on Christ alone. I have wanted to take charge of the situation.
I have to admit, that lately I have felt like I have been walking through a valley, partly because circumstances have not turned out the way I would have guessed. My mind is constantly wondering. My heart continuously asks questions. My soul yearning to know why I have to walk through this particular “valley of the shadow.” But I am realizing that it is during this time, more now than ever, that I have felt His rod and staff comforting me (Psalm 23). Even when I still see that there is only one set of footprints in the sand, I know that it is because He is still carrying me.
My dance with Jesus is taking place in a valley. He is teaching me what it means to truly trust Him--what it means to have hope.
Sons and Daughters of the True High King, He beckons you. Will you draw near? Will you take His hand and choose to let go of everything that is keeping you from true abandonment? Are you willing to sever every enslaving bond that is dragging you away from Him? Are you prepared to fight for intimate fellowship with your Maker? Are you ready to surrender every area of your life to His leading?
Close your eyes... and prepare yourself for a dance that will carry you across barren wastelands, through valleys, and over grueling mountaintops. This dance requires a trust that never lets goes, a faith that chooses to believe, and a heart that continually surrenders.
Dear Child, seize His hand. Follow the rhythm of His steps. Allow His voice to blur out all the other enticing distractions that constantly seem to scream out your name. Allow His face to cloud anything that may try to lure you. Fix your eyes on His.
A song that has blessed me immensely during this hard time has been Marc Schulz’s song, He Will Carry Me.
I call, You hear me
I've lost it all
And it's more then I can bear
I feel so empty
You're strong, I'm weary
I'm holding on
But I feel like giving in
But still You're with me
And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
I know I'm broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
Your always with me
And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said You'd see me through the storm
Guys and girls, dance with Jesus. Give into utter abandonment. A place of complete surrender. A journey with Christ by your side. And know that He will get you through.
What about you? Where are you dancing with Jesus right now? Is the Lord leading you through a barren wasteland, a valley, or up a mountainside? Are you choosing to allow your circumstances to make you more like Christ? What life lessons is Jesus teaching you at present?
