When You Feel the Nudge, Don't Ignore it!

     While I was tagging along with a friend, for what I thought was a typical grocery shopping trip, God was up to something in the midst. We found ourselves picking up not 1 bag of apples but 2...Not 1 thing of bananas but 2...Not 1 box of macaroni and cheese but 2. You get my point. After we left the grocery store, we saw a lady walking along the road, crying. As we drove by, I couldn't help but look behind me wondering is she okay? What does she need? How can I help? We both felt a nudge that we just couldn't ignore.

     As we made a U-turn to find this lady, it turns out she was walking to a nearby preschool, to borrow diapers for her baby. We just so happened to have diapers in the car to give her as well. We went on and asked if she needed a ride anywhere, and back home is where she was headed. Of course as we are driving this lady back home we are getting to know her story. Her and her husband have 5 children, and are doing everything they can to provide for their family. They are just caught in a rough time.

     There is no doubt that God was orchestrating our day, time, money, and even the amount of groceries that were purchased. A small nudge with a little obedience can go a long way. Not only were we able to bless this lady with diapers and wipes, a short car ride, and a few groceries, which none of it she asked for, but it also opened up the door for conversation about being the church. As Christians, our calling is to help those in need.

     Hebrews 7:7, "And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed."

     God is constantly wanting to use us for His glory! I share this story, not to put myself or anyone else on a pedestal, but to encourage you to look for an opportunity to be a blessing to someone today!! When you feel the nudge, don't ignore it!

Outlook Determines Outcome

     "For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

     If your mind is filled with troubles at the start of the day, more troubles will come your way. If your mind is filled with hope, blessings will be sure to come your way. It truly depends on your outlook. "If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory." ~Wiersbe

     We cannot always choose which circumstances come our way, but we can choose our outlook for every situation. The secret to a happy heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, noble, and lovely. (Philippians 4:8) As we face the struggles of daily living, we must look at our attitudes and then examine what we allow to enter our mind and choose to dwell on. This is important because our mind is one of Satan's greatest targets to attack. Why would he attack our mind? Warren Wiersbe said, "Because your mind is the part of the image of God where He communicates and reveals His will to you." When Satan has convinced us to believe his lies, he has accomplished his purpose.

     So often, we let the outcome of life determine our outlook, when really our outlook determines the outcome. Not knowing what tomorrow holds, or understanding the reason for everything happening today, we must trust that "God works all things for the good of those who love him." (Romans 8:28) In Christ, we can look at the future with eyes of confidence and hope. 

     When your outlook is based on Christ, it is then that your life becomes a continual feast!

He Who Promised is Faithful

    "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23 

     In a world where faithfulness is not always acknowledged, you can trust that God is and remains true. He is true to His word and His promises. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.” Faithfulness is not something God does, it is who He is.

     The definition of faithfulness cannot even describe how faithful God is. He always goes above and beyond. We can hold onto our confession of hope in Him completely, without wavering, without worrying, without any doubt, trusting fully that He who promised is faithful! 

     Be encouraged to hold fast...hold tight and never let go of the fact that you can have hope in Jesus for today and tomorrow because of His faithfulness towards us. It may not necessarily be in the way we expect, but it will always line up with His word. He brings peace that surpasses understanding. He empowers us to overcome sin and any situation that would bring our spirit down. He loves us unconditionally and purposefully. He brings hope to hopeless situations. He has already prepared a home for you and I in eternity, so that not even death is the end. He is faithful.

In the Mess, I am Blessed

     Ever feel like you just can't keep up? Sometimes life can turn into a crazy mess. The current status of my life...college, applying for a job, in a relationship, trying to pay bills, keeping up with house chores, trying to find a car, and the list goes on. It seems like a never-ending cycle of...well, I guess it is part of becoming an adult.

     I cannot help but remember the story of Joseph, and what a mess his life was from the outside looking in. He was betrayed and deserted by his family, exposed to sexual temptation, and punished for doing the right thing. He also endured a long imprisonment and was forgotten by those he helped. I love this story not because of what Joseph went through, but it was his response to it all. He did not spend much time asking why, in fact, his approach was "What shall I do now?"(Genesis 30-50)

     In times of what feels like insanity, I am constantly reminding myself to take a step back and count my blessings. So many times, we get caught up in our daily lives and are focused more on what has to get done today, in order to make it through tomorrow, and that is when we lose sight of God's blessings and His faithfulness.

     "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

     What matters is not so much the circumstances and events in this life that we have to juggle, but our response and perspective of them. Even while some days seem like too much, I will choose to be thankful for all that leaves me begging for more Jesus and His strength!

Valentine's Day is Still Happening?

     How am I suppose to spend a day that is meant for couples? I thought that since I am single and important, that Hallmark would just call off the holiday until I found love. No? This is slightly depressing, but I have to manage somehow. I'm sure that some of you can relate ;)

      Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, "I want you to be free from the concern's of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible."

      Paul is saying that one advantage of being single is the potential of a greater focus on Christ and his work, and being able to serve Christ wholeheartedly with fewer distractions. Be encouraged by this today, and this week as Valentine's Day is approaching.