1 John 4:20-21

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

This one, hit me right in the face. HARD. I know i’m not the only person who has ever taken something from this but this one is a biggie. And I think it knew what it was doing when it found me. I have been having trouble lately, loving some of those around me as brothers and sisters in Christ. I have grudges against people, and anger, and all kinds of anger toward people in my life. This really lets me know what’s what when it comes to God’s love. I was always familiar with it from the beginning, but I am learning so much every day. This really helps me realize that even though people around us, extremely involved in our lives or not, are going to hurt us, and make us mad, but there is no reason for any other emotion to be expressed, other than love. God loves us so much, and sent Jesus, HIS son, to die for our sins. That is an ultimate love. This tells me that I look completely foolish, for being upset over simple words, or crazy actions of others. Best advice i’ve heard in a while. God, you are too good to me. 

Psalm 118:5-6

'When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.   The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'

This reminds me of a conversation that I have been having with a sweet friend of mine here lately as she has hard times. This one is probably the best advice I could give. I definitely need to write this one down, and if anyone needs help from me, I'll just say this to them. How beautiful is this. This is one of the parts of life I love the most. If times are hard and hurtful, Jesus will carry you away to a quiet place. He is always with you, no matter where you hide. God always always has his arms around you. Things get hard, I know. It's so rough, growing up, or dealing with everyone around trying to hurt you, or being alone. But no matter the situation, if you put all of your faith in the Lord and let it go, He will help you. God's love is like a shield, keeping you happy, and safe, but you just have to let it. I know exactly what it feels like, to block out EVERYTHING. I did it for too long. Far too long. But once I discovered that God was there for me, no matter how low I had sunk, and that no matter how crappy things got, He still forgives me. I feel like if I could get this point across to people who are feeling like I was, then the world would be so much more happy and so much more blessed. The Lord is with me always, why do I have any reason to be afraid. The assurance is overwhelming. 

1 Peter 1:15-16

HAPPY FRIDAY!
Let me tell ya, I love when Friday comes around. This work week has gone by kinda quick, but Friday's are still sacred. It's rainy, and messy and cold, and I definitely want to stay home and sleep instead of going to work tonight, but hopefully I won't have to work tomorrow, and I can sleep and drink tea and watch movies all day ;) 

Or work. That's fine too.

'But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;   for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy."'

YAY! Be holy in all you do! Be holy in your thoughts, in your actions, and in your state of mind. Lovely! God feels, that we are worthy of every ounce of love He has, why would we not let it flow out of us and surround others? This is so inspiring. I strive, to let God's love pour into everything that I do. Not that it isn't a struggle. It is. I get cranky easily. I let little things bother me, and when people try to hurt me or make me angry, they almost always succeed. And it's not a rare occurrence of me, to snap right back with something ill tempered to say, just to hurt them like they hurt me. That is not a good character trait that I am really working to fix. Any kind of prayer offered is totally okay with me because this is an incredible struggle that I've dealt with for years. But yes. THANK GOODNESS for God's love, and forgiveness, because we would all be lost without Him. 

Matthew 6:19-21

I was very busy today! I'M SORRY! But i'ma catch up tonight I promise. I'll be awake for a while.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Beautiful. Wonderful. Thank you JESUS! This one is definitely an inspiration and a help. A lot of the time, I get caught up in the material things of the world. I will totally admit it, without any shame. I let things get to me when it comes to things, that DON'T EVEN MATTER. Like today for instance, my landlord called me and told me that she had not received our rent for the month of december, and I totally lost myself. I was angry, and upset, and stressed, and worried, so much, all in a matter of minutes. I had lost all faith and lost myself. (She found our rent) Everything became okay, and I realized, that I had taken it upon myself to be worried. I need to stop that. New Years Resolution (a few days late) Let God handle it. HE'S GOT THIS. I love my Jesus, He is more powerful than any other, that's what this verse tells me. Don't let money, cars, and everything else become the most important thing to you! Save up your love, and hope, and faith, for Heaven one day. Because when we meet our saviour, none of this is going to matter. All of our computers, and cars, and money, will all be gone, and our home with Jesus will be brand new, and totally perfect! None of this will matter then, don't let it matter now. Just leave it all up to God! 

I hope everyone has had a blessed blessed Thursday, and I think I speak for all of us when I say, THANK GOD tomorrow is Friday <3

Amos 5:14-15

I'm sorry i'm late loves. I feel like I haven't accomplished much of anything today. I have felt tired, and a little nauseous and my tummy has felt swollen and uncomfortable, so I haven't changed out of my leggings all day. I don't mean to whine but i've never really felt this weird. I can't describe it. I just feel like a balloon. My fingers are so swollen and sore that I had to take off my wedding rings, and now they won't even go back on. I guess i'm done whining, but just pray for me guys. 

Amos 5:14-15

'Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.   Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.'

Amos. I am sad to say I have never really dove into the book of Amos before. it's one of those that has slipped past me and I have never gotten to fully experience. What a beautiful verse though. Seek the Lord and LIVE :D How wonderful. If you keep your eyes on the skies and let God lead you through, you can live life and life more abundantly. I love the thought. I can only hope that with much prayer and much practice, I can get to the point in my life where I trust God with my every move. It's not that I don't trust him now, I just need to trust him a little more and let him carry me :) I'm somewhat of a worry wort anyway. But this definitely ties into what I was whining about earlier. Maybe I just need to let God handle the discomforts in my body and not let the evils of the world tell me everything that is wrong. I am going to be just fine! God is going to heal me! I hope this blesses every one of you like it has blessed me. 

Ephesians 5:1-2

'Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children   and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.'

Good afternoon! What an amazing example. It amazes me more and more every day how much easier it is to understand the word of God. I used to just move right past verses because I didn't get it, but now it's like, It's hard for me to find one that I don't understand. God truly has been moving in my life, and it's so easy to find His word in everything that I do. The hard part is searching for more, making it more of a challenge to find things. 
I truly am trying my best to follow His example in my life. Like my daddy, He only wants what's best for me, and He wants me to simply walk in love. That's what I am going to really try to do. I am so easily influenced by others opinions of me. People saying mean things about me, and all kinds of things like that, really change the act and feel. That is a work of process in itself. But with HIS help. I know anything can be accomplished.

Everyone have a safe, warm Tuesday! <3

1 Peter 1:13

'[Be Holy]  Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.'

Don't be weighted down by the Monday's. Monday can be like any other day but you have to make it that way! I know, I know, you've been trying to rest this weekend, and then you ended up having to do a bunch of unscheduled things, or you were sick, or you just couldn't sleep at night. And NOW, you have to go BACK to work, and drag yourself through another day. I get it, I know. I used to let Monday get to me too. Especially a Monday like today, cold, windy, and just no fun. But thank the LORD we are alive and living a beautiful life. I have started using Monday's, as a day to be thankful, and to make a list of blessings, so I thought I'd share, and maybe Monday's won't be so hard on y'all anymore.

Happy Monday! January 6th, 2014. I am thankful for:
A warm home, and money to pay the electricity bill to keep it that way.
A car that runs (most of the time) and money to fix it when it doesn't.
My job, where i'm surrounded by such genuine people.
My husband's job, so that he can help take care of us.
Food in our cabinets, even though sometimes it isn't always what we want.
Hot tea this morning. 
The sunshine despite the cold.
God's grace.
My outrageous curls this morning. 
All of the jackets, sweaters, and scarves I have to keep me warm when I go outside.
My husband in general, being wonderful as he always is.
113 days of marriage. 
Forever to look forward to. 
People reading my blog.

So just be thankful today. Have a fully sober and alert mind and don't let your hopes fall for even a fraction of a second. Your monday will be a good day!

<3