Oftimes the dumbest things upset me. I cry for a reason that I later realize is completely stupid. I often reason with myself that I am, obviously, a teenage girl and that teenage girls are supposed to be emotional. However, even I know that is no excuse for selfishness and self-pity.
Most times I try to move the focus off myself and on to those around me. After all, I could be hurting very badly on the inside, but I still have it better than the rest of this world. There are so many hurting people out there, how could I focus on the things that are so unimportant.
I was reading a book earlier, and one of the characters in it is a young girl back in the 1800s who was forced into prostitution after her husband died, leaving her without any family or friends. Three sisters live across the saloon that she works at, and they try to help her as best they can. She does eventually get freed from the man who claims to 'own' her, but my point is, there are people out there like that today.
How many people have I passed by that have hidden scars from past hurts? How many people have I ignored that may be abused and stuck in a hopeless situation? God is hope, so why didn't I show them that they aren't stuck in a completely hopeless situation? Are there people surrounding me right now that could be hurting just as must as that book character?
At one time or another we all have hurts that must heal. There will always be people in the world hurting, no matter how hard we try to stop it. Sometimes it is God's way of helping us grow. Sometimes we can grow by helping others through their hurts. I feel like I haven't helped anyone at all, but now it's time for that to change. I WILL help those around me. I WILL witness to those who have not yet heard the truth. I WILL show God to the hurting and broken. That is why I'm here, after all.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Measuring Cup
The measuring cup...we all know what it is. "I wish I were as pretty as she is", "I don't have as much money as he does", the list goes on and on. What do I have to say about this? I ask what measuring cup are you using?
If you are using this world's measuring up, your focus is most likely on: appearance, money, material things. People that constantly try to be like another person according to these standards are usually miserable. Why should we try to be as pretty as someone else when God made each and every one of us in His image. Why should we try to obtain as much money and material things in life when all that really matters is what we obtain in eternity? We cannot keep trying to get all the money and things we can get and expect to be happy. It just won't happen.
When you use God's measuring cup, you find that you don't have to be the prettiest (or handsomest) person in the world, you don't have a big, overwhelming desire to get more and more money, and you find yourself wanting to obtain the eternal things instead of the earthly ones.
We cannot compare ourselves to this world, nor to the people in it. If you say you're not pretty enough, who are you comparing yourself to? If you don't have enough money, what amount are comparing your income to? Why are you trying to compare yourself and your life, when God has made you in his image, and He died to give you the most important thing on earth: Redemption.
If you find that you've been comparing yourself to other people and their lives, take a moment to think. God loves YOU for who YOU are, and He doesn't want to be anyone else or live anyone else's life.
2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
If you are using this world's measuring up, your focus is most likely on: appearance, money, material things. People that constantly try to be like another person according to these standards are usually miserable. Why should we try to be as pretty as someone else when God made each and every one of us in His image. Why should we try to obtain as much money and material things in life when all that really matters is what we obtain in eternity? We cannot keep trying to get all the money and things we can get and expect to be happy. It just won't happen.
When you use God's measuring cup, you find that you don't have to be the prettiest (or handsomest) person in the world, you don't have a big, overwhelming desire to get more and more money, and you find yourself wanting to obtain the eternal things instead of the earthly ones.
We cannot compare ourselves to this world, nor to the people in it. If you say you're not pretty enough, who are you comparing yourself to? If you don't have enough money, what amount are comparing your income to? Why are you trying to compare yourself and your life, when God has made you in his image, and He died to give you the most important thing on earth: Redemption.
If you find that you've been comparing yourself to other people and their lives, take a moment to think. God loves YOU for who YOU are, and He doesn't want to be anyone else or live anyone else's life.
2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Fallen Dreams and Broken Hearts
This blog post is dedicated to a dear friend of mine, who's husband walked out on her Saturday afternoon and declared he was divorcing her, yet she is being strong and looking at positive things instead of negative.
Although this man only thought about himself when leaving, it affects everyone around him. His best friend collapsed when he found out, not sure what happened. Another young lady cried when she found out what he did. I went mute for many minutes when I heard the words spoken. This was a man of whom everyone knew and loved, yet he left not only his wife, but he left everyone who cared about him.
I could not sleep last night because of this (I finally fell asleep at four in the morning), so I intercessed and cried out for this couple. I don't understand why this happened, nor does anyone else, but God does, and I believe He will take care of it.
Sometimes we have dreams that we are so sure will happen one day. Then, slowly, our life begins to fall apart, and, in order for God to give us new dreams, He must tear the old ones down. Unfortunately, this is a very painful and hard thing. This friend of mine, for example, must endure the emotional and physical pain of her husband leaving her. She has not eaten or slept much since she heard the news.
So, here is to God's perfect plan for our lives, that may hold on, and, one day, see that this was all about of His plan. Here is to fallen dreams and broken hearts!
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Dedicated to LFR
Although this man only thought about himself when leaving, it affects everyone around him. His best friend collapsed when he found out, not sure what happened. Another young lady cried when she found out what he did. I went mute for many minutes when I heard the words spoken. This was a man of whom everyone knew and loved, yet he left not only his wife, but he left everyone who cared about him.
I could not sleep last night because of this (I finally fell asleep at four in the morning), so I intercessed and cried out for this couple. I don't understand why this happened, nor does anyone else, but God does, and I believe He will take care of it.
Sometimes we have dreams that we are so sure will happen one day. Then, slowly, our life begins to fall apart, and, in order for God to give us new dreams, He must tear the old ones down. Unfortunately, this is a very painful and hard thing. This friend of mine, for example, must endure the emotional and physical pain of her husband leaving her. She has not eaten or slept much since she heard the news.
So, here is to God's perfect plan for our lives, that may hold on, and, one day, see that this was all about of His plan. Here is to fallen dreams and broken hearts!
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Dedicated to LFR
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Called
I felt the call when I was about twelve years old. I remember that I was at a youth rally when the preacher began naming off cities, villages, and countries that did not have an apostolic church in them. I got sidetracked by thinking I would one day be a youth pastor's wife. However, I lost the burden for youth, and I picked up right where I left off with those nations. It was confirmed later by my mother and pastor that they felt I was called to foreign missions.
Tonight we had a missionary couple visit our church from Bolivia. The things they said and the wondrous things God is doing in that country literally brought tears to my eyes. It made me realize just how blessed, yet selfish, this country truly is. I felt a heavy burden in my soul for this country, and I have decided that one I would like to go on a mission trip. Or at least help in some way.
I know that God has called me to do something wonderful in another country. I have been way too stubborn and I'm sick of it, and I have been self-centered for too long and I'm tired of myself. I will do whatever I can to win souls from now on, and hopefully, if the Lord tarries, I will one day win souls for another country (I only have prayer and fasting for right now).
Thank you, Lord, that I have been called!
Matthew 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 1:6
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Tonight we had a missionary couple visit our church from Bolivia. The things they said and the wondrous things God is doing in that country literally brought tears to my eyes. It made me realize just how blessed, yet selfish, this country truly is. I felt a heavy burden in my soul for this country, and I have decided that one I would like to go on a mission trip. Or at least help in some way.
I know that God has called me to do something wonderful in another country. I have been way too stubborn and I'm sick of it, and I have been self-centered for too long and I'm tired of myself. I will do whatever I can to win souls from now on, and hopefully, if the Lord tarries, I will one day win souls for another country (I only have prayer and fasting for right now).
Thank you, Lord, that I have been called!
Matthew 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 1:6
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
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