2 Timothy 2:13 AMP "If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character)"

"but God is faithful [to His word and his compassionate nature] and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will always provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place) that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently."

1 Corinthians 10:13 AMP

The parts that stood out to me when I read this, I made bold. 

God is faithful.

He will always provide.

That you may be capable to bear up under it patiently. 

God is faithful. We know that, we believe that, we preach it, we teach it, and it's our anchor in the midst of life's storms. The part we miss in there is what God is faithful to. We put our own agenda and time stamp in things and if they don't work out like we imagined we think God isn't faithful. 

God had a lot of patience with us, but can we always say the same about us with God? 

His word tells us, one if the fruits of the spirit is patience (Gal 5:22) and it says in Hebrews that we need to have patience and endurance so that we may perform and fully accomplish the will of God.

I think often time we expect so much from God but we don't give in return. We expect Him to hear our prayers, be patient with us, and extend His unconditional steadfast love, but we don't always reciprocate. And in turn, we feel like He is not faithful because He has not done what we wanted. It's a result of knowing He is faithful but not knowing what He is faithful for or to because we have neglected our relationship with Him so therefore we don't know Him. 

To cultivate our relationship with God we have to spend time with Him. When we spend time with Him, we learn Him. When we know more about Him we are able to understand His character and nature better. Then ultimately we will know what He is faithful to and how He will always provide, and then we will be capable to bear temptations, storms, trials, and life patiently. 

-B 

Isaiah 64:8 (AMP) Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, andYou our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand.

Over these past few snow days, I have had lots of time to read think and plan. For my February FCA lesson, all of this extra time came in handy to study. After doing some planning, reading, studying, and writing, I wanted to share my "lesson." I feel like there are some ladies who may come across this, that won't be sitting in my classroom with me at 7:30 am hearing me share these words, and may need the encouraging words. 

The point I have tried to beat into my own head, as well as other sweet ladies that I come in contact with, is what is a woman. I have done studies before, and even written posts before about the topic. So as I prepare in prayer and studying for the next few days, here is the message God has placed on my heart to share. 

Who are we, as women? Are we what the world says, or what The Word says?  

"a force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man." 

That quote from an article I read recently I think explains a woman in a unique but accurate way. 

We have a generation of strong women who have been forced to be strong due to the deck of cards we have been handed in life. The society that shaped us into strong women criticize us for the very thing they created us to be. The crazy thing is we allow it. We listen to music that degrades us, we watch movies that belittle us, and read magazines and books that create a fake women. And then we still try and fight the stereotypes. During any of it do we take the time to look to the true truth of what a woman is? When God created woman, it was because after days of creation. Days of making things from the dust, he realized something still wasn't right. Something still wasn't good. So then he made woman. 

He could have crafted her out if the dust also, but he didn't. The woman is the only thing God created in those 6 days that wasn't made from the dust. As a woman we are special. There is more to us than a bra size a pant size or a heel size. Each one of you is a fearfully and wonderfully made daughter of The King. In one final flourish creation came to and end with you. The one thing God did not create from the dust and instead of snapping His fingers, He took time and effort to hands craft and perfect. 

We get so wrapped up in trying to define ourselves that we forget The One who has already done all that for us.

We have been told we are fearfully and wonderfully made, but do we believe it? Do we understand what it truly means that God makes no mistakes? That I am exactly the way I am supposed to be? We keep trying to fight for that position of a godly woman, somebody He loves... But guess what. We don't have to keep fighting for that position, because we are already there! The beautiful thing is that He she'd sweat, tears, and blood so you could be called a daughter of the King. 

You have to come to a point where you stop trying to talk yourself into something, or doing things to make yourself believe and just believe. It doesn't matter what the world says. You are chosen. You are just as good as the rest. 

You are a gift, not a commodity. 

-B

Ephesians 3: 20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think... to Him be the glory."

abundantly more.

On this gorgeous Sunday February afternoon, these words are quite... humbling.

After finishing out what seemed to be the longest month in the history of time (aka January) in one of the worst states I have been in in a long while, I was more happy to see February than words could explain. No, last week wasn't my week and it certainly wasn't anybody else's either, if you catch what I'm sayin!  

There is just something about a new month that can change an attitude and perspective.

Little did I know, until thinking through some things today that this new month symbolizes a whole lot of new for me. This new month and new season should have represented four truly amazing words... Middle School Girls' Softball (I'm sure you picked up on my sarcasm) but it doesn't. A couple months back I felt led to resign my coaching position. I wasn't quite sure where God was leading me, but I just knew I was going to be more plugged into the Church in some way. Little did I know, shortly after that doors were opened.

He. Is. Faithful.

Here I am now starting the first month of February a small group leader, of not just one but two; plugged into not just one ministry, but two. I feel beyond blessed. Some know and some don't, but for the longest time I have felt a little pull on my heart for Women's Ministry. Funny thing is I have a heart for both the students & girls my age and The Lord has opened doors for me to have experiences with both.


I am teaching an amazing group of 77 pre teen 6th graders, leading a small group of 30 pre teen 6th grade girls, and leading a small group of about 7-10 girls in their early to mid 20s. My heart is overflowing.

abundantly more.

I write this post, not to boast but to encourage and to shine some glory back on The King. I will tell you there is nothing that I have done that has put me in the position I am now. I definitely feel like God has placed the calling on my heart to take on these new challenges, and I am scared out of my mind. I will tell you what can truly add to that fear is letting the world have weight in any way. Speaking from experience, there is nothing more crippling than giving the world weight in your circumstances and life. When God has placed a call on your heart (which He has in some way because you were fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose only you can fulfill) the biggest bully of our life, Satan, will do whatever he can to keep it from happening. Often, I know in my life, he uses those that are closest to me or those that have the most influence in my life to try and keep me away from the goal.

So if God has placed a calling on your heart, to break free from the fear and the crippling chains of others, follow hard after God and seek His face in all you do. There is nothing more freeing than making the decision that the world has zero weight in your decisions. That and deciding you will have faith and seek wisdom and discernment from Him who is able to do far more abundantly more than all we ask or think.

I have been turned away from working with students in the past. I have been told I just didn't have what it takes to lead a small group. I have been given "trial' runs and then been turned down // Had I given the world weight during those times there is a good chance the bully would have won but guess what, God won. I chose to cling to what is good and look to Him to fulfill whatever His will would be.

So whatever season you may be in now, don't let the bully win. Keep your eyes on God and follow hard after Him daily. Things may not happen over night, but have faith because they will.

God knew that each one of those circumstances would refine my character and define me more in Him, and here I am beginning a season of "new" in many different areas.

To Him be the glory.


- B

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together... though your sins are scarlet they shall be white as snow"

Isaiah 5:1 "Why will you be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick and the whole heart faint."

On this actual snow day, with a heavy heart and a mind full of questions, stumbling across this verse was very... eye opening. If you summed up all the questions that were running marathons in my mind, these two questions could not be more perfect to explain them.  I would have to add one more though

Why do we remain so faithless at times when The Father has always remained faithful?

We know the devil wants us to succeed in nothing that glorifies God. We know this ways and his motives. We also know God is powerful, all knowing, sovereign, loving, and merciful. We know His ways and His motives too. We know that He will always get us through. So if that is true, we remain so faithless at times yet He remains so faithful. 

We as humans are capable of anything sinful. We are sinful by nature, but that's when we have to empty ourselves of human desires, fleshly ambition, selfishness, wants, and thoughts. By emptying ourselves of these things, by denying ourselves, that is how we ultimately overcome that urge to quit. The urge to remain faithless. The urge to rebel. The urge to be struck down. We have to fully empty ourselves to be fully filled with the power and strength of Christ. 

"We all fall prey to poison. All the time. We take it in because we don't recognize it for what it truly is." (Your Captivating Heart)

When the poison enters our hearts, the depth and core to who we are, then it becomes deadly. The heart becomes faint and it begins to impact what we believe about ourselves. Then, the poison becomes has the power to kill. 

The poison I am referring to here is the little word "convince". 

To convince is to cause someone to belief firmly in the truth of something. 

We fall prey to what the Devil convinces us of. 
That we aren't good enough. 
That We are good enough.
That God is holding out on us.
That God can't be trusted.
That We can't overcome our sin.
That We are guilty.
That We are shameful.
That We are unworthy.
That We are useless.
That We are powerless. 

Those are just a few of my poisons. I could go on and on. I'm sure if you thought about it, you too could add a few more to that list. 

Ultimately the point I am trying to make is that we fall prey to the poison of the devil's convincing lies. Because we have fallen prey, we are struck down, and we continue to rebel. Our whole head is sick, and our heart is faint. The beauty of that is, there is always a chance for God to come in and reveal to us the truth; to wipe it all clean, again, and continue to transform and renew our hearts. Remember what I said before, He remains faithful even in our faithlessness (2 Tim 2:13). 

Even though we have been faithless, even though we have been struck down, even though we continue to rebel, we have the sweet truth of Isiah 1:18 to remind us we can have a renewed head and heart.

'Come now, let us reason together' says The Lord 'though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.'

We are all capable of falling prey to some poison. Maybe your poison isn't mine. Maybe yours isn't the shiny apple that was both appealing to Eve and Snow White, but it is something. Regardless of what it is, be attentive, When you get struck down, don't let it keep you down. Rely on the promises and truth The Lord is constantly trying to speak to your heart. 


though your sins are scarlet, they shall be made white as snow. 
How perfect and humbling for this snowy day. 

think about it//what are you holding onto that is scarlet and needs to be made white as snow?

-B

2 Corithians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; BEHOLD, the new has come! (ESV; emphasis added)

Happy New Year & Happy 2014!

Over this past week, as the end of 2013 approached, I have seen millions of posts, links, and articles for how to be the "Best you in 2014!" each one consisting of lists for days of 5 to 25 things to do to become the "best you in 2014".

& Now, I can't say that I have read any of them because if I had to guess they are all the same..

diet.
exercise.
make new friends.
travel.
break old habits.
create new habits.
get a hobby.
go back to school.
get a new job.
start a new career.
find yourself. (whatever the world that means...)
get more sleep.
get married.
spend less time on Facebook, Snap Chat, Instagram, and what not.
beat all the levels of Candy Crush 

Okay, so I may have just made that last one.. but regardless, all of those list are basically the same. And yes, I have only seen 22 years of life so I may not be hitting the "wise" mark on some of your scales, but I can tell you that NONE of those will work. NONE of those will truly make you the "best you in 2014".

So now you're probably thinking, "well okay then.. so what will?"

To answer the lingering question, "how to become the best me in 2014?" I give you one way. One answer. One thing to do.

to become the best you in 2014, you have to lose yourself in Christ. The closer you grow to Him, the more fully you become your true self. 


2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! (ESV emphasis added). 

This verse right here tells us that in Christ you are made new. Nothing else can truly change you like Christ having your heart, soul, and mind. 

So why don't those long list of worldly things work or last... Galatians 5:17 & Matthew 26:41 tells us.  

Galatians 5: 17 "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other"

Matthew 26:41b "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." 

Now, there are a bunch more examples I could pull and share about how that list of worldly things would not work.. but that is not my point. My point is to share with you why that one way, one answer, one suggestions, and one thing that the Lord placed on my heart to share,  will work. 


In reading my new devotional to start the 2014 year "My utmost for His Highest" (which is amazing!) I read that our determined purpose is to become my utmost (which means most extreme or greatest) for His Highest -- my best for His glory. 

So, it's not for you? Your spouse? Your significant other? Your children? Your friend? Your family? Your neighbor? None of these? Than who for? Why do it?

 You become the best you for the glory of The Lord. 

Okay-- so now we know the one thing; what does that one thing look like? 

I have read a lot of Lysa Terkeurst books, as a lot of you know because I reference them quite often in my writings. This exert from "What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God" explains why it will work better than I could muster up myself. 


p9. 

"Ready for something better?

Most of us long for something better. Different. Special. Extraordinary. We desire something more meaningful than day-to-day survival.
And the amazing thing is that even before we can name that desire, God has placed within us and is drawing us closer to Him through that desire. Our hunger to be special and to do special things is our spiritual hunger to have an extraordinary relationship with God.

But how do we leave the normal behind and heard toward the extraordinary?

We start a journey! The amazing, transforming, anything but normal journey you begin the moment you say "yes" to God. "

No diet, new workout schedule, tanning package, wardrobe, hairstyle, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, baby, job, hobby, or any worldly thing will really bring out the best version of you. Not in 2013. Not in 2014. Not in 2015 either. You can plan all you want to break bad habits and create new ones or whatever your "new years resolution" is ---- but no matter what, if you you try it on your own surely you will fail-- but if you give him your whole heart and your undivided attention, with His strength and power and with full reliance,  on The Lord you will be successful in becoming the best you in 2014. 


and one last quote from "What Happens When Young Women Say Yes to God"

pg 58.

"One thing you can be assured of is that God has already worked together all the details of what your obedience will accomplish and it is good"


So friend, I challenge you today, tomorrow, and the rest of your days to come to try this one thing. Say "yes" to God and be obedient to His calling on your life. 

Tell him you want to crave Him more than anything else. You want to give your whole heart to Him. You want Him to lead you on that extraordinary journey. You want to have that amazing relationship with Him that is like none you will ever experience. You want to follow Him hard and continue to seek His face and His will, kingdom, and righteousness above all else (Matthew 6:33). 

Open your heart up to The Lord. Become a new creation in Him. Start your amazing, transforming, anything but normal "yes" journey with Him. Become the best you in 2014 by the absolute and irrevocable surrender of your will. His will is better, He knows better, and He always has you best interest in mind.

Be determined to be the greatest you absolutely and entirely for Him.

-B