Relationship Building Blocks

- Unity after Christ- 

Intentions that are pure, a mind that is sharp, integrity built on solid ground, words of wisdom that flows from their mouth, devotion to Christ, a heart driven to succeed and accomplish goals, that is a person to build a life with. 

These are the qualities that we should be seeking after when we are deciding if a person would be compatible, uplifting, encouraging, compassionate, loving, supportive, and most importantly - one who will constantly turn your eyes to Christ. We are not perfect and we will make mistakes, but one who can pick you up and remind you to stay on God's path, is a person that is living their life for Christ and implementing Godly practices into their daily life. We should draw and seek for this type of relationship. 

Rushing into a relationship is not seeking God's direction. He wants to fulfill His plans for your "single" life before He is ready to unify you with another. Listen to what He is telling you when you are in the process of making a choice to further seek after a possible relationship. If it doesn't feel right, seek after Christ's wisdom and dig into His word for advice on your situation. 

Until then, if you are like myself, we shall be focusing on becoming the best that we can for Christ. Our focus should be on worshiping, glorifying, and growing deeper with Him so we may one day be what we should be for that special person that He brings into your life. 

Practice Makes…..not Perfect, but Obedient!

Breathe on Me

Lord, I ask you to bring to life some of the insecurities that I am dealing with to my attention.

Perfectionist

I had developed this sense of having to do everything in life to 100%. You may be sitting there going I wish I had that mind set or that actually does not sound like such a bad thing to develop. Well……to be honest with you, what I have developed is a sense of having to do everything to a 100% and if it does not meet my standard, then I have not only failed myself, but those around me. This is a dangerous habit to develop because it becomes a breeding ground for stress, tension, late nights, and anxiety over what will happen if I do not succeed. This particular habit has been drilled into my head through many different paths that I have taken in life through travel fast-pitch softball, film/theater acting, being a perfect friend, being the Christian example to others, and has especially impacted my college career.

 I had the mentality that I had to receive an “A” on everything academically that I completed or I had failed (in my mind). I had to sit myself down after the first month and a half of my senior year and seek after Christ for peace and for Him to slow me down, so I may enjoy the last year that I spend practically every day with such Godly friends from all across the United States at one university. I began to develop a sense of “free spiritedness” I never felt more free during a time in college then I had the past semester. I was able to even enjoy the time I spent at the library with friends studying. I was no longer tension filled, Christ stepped in when I called upon His name for calmness during my storm.

(Psalms 50:15) Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

(Psalms 145:18-19) The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. {19} He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.

Are you an Authentic Requester?

Christ looks to our hearts and sees the need that we are requesting of Him. He looks to the authenticity of the requester. When we humble ourselves before the throne of God we are able to run to Him, with blind eyes, knowing that He will catch us if we should fall. We should not make requests to Him if we are not willing to allow His work be done in our life and not giving our selfish desires up for His Heavenly plan. This concept at first is a scary one to grasp. Think, why should we expect Him to do things for us, if we are not willing to simply breathe life into our lungs and use us as a force for His kingdom? Live and breathe the words that you proclaim to be. Christ wants your vulnerability so He may sculpt you into what He has encompassed for you.

Practice Makes…..not Perfect, but Obedient!

Practicing to let yourself be consumed by Christ’s plan will be an act of obedience towards Him. Practice daily devotion of time spent with Christ. Though we must also keep in mind that this does not mean to not try our hardest in everything that we do, this just means that sometimes we will not meet our expectations and it is okay! Even though we may fall short of our goals, we can become empowered by the Holy Spirit and know that He is eternal and that our failures are only a bump in the road. Remember practice makes NOT perfect, but obedient.

(1 Chronicles 16:8) Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

(Job 27:10) Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times?

Oh to be Able to Share His Story

What message will you be spreading by the way that you live your life? 

Though we might not all speak to a crowd on a weekly basis, your actions and words speak volumes to the values that you hold. I have had the opportunity to be a co-youth leader to teenagers and young adults. Speaking in front of your friends takes a lot of guts to do. Many of my friends and those that know of me, may think that public speaking and being in front of a crowd is like home to me. I have had the blessing of growing up performing and being in multiple films. So you could say that I should be extremely comfortable being in front of people, especially when it's talking to a crowd about my faith that leaps from my lips. The truth is, I am comfortable with public speaking, but when it comes to sharing my "faith" it can become a super scary thing to do.

 I often times feel that I'm not adequate enough to share my faith to others, It's a constant reminder that the Lord has forgiven me and redeemed me. I am justified through faith. Satan loves to remind us of who we once were. He brings up our past by giving us opportunities through old relationships, places, and thoughts. I don't have to live a perfect life in order to share my faith with others, that's what is so amazing about being a follower of Christ. Christ is the only man to have ever walked upon the face of this earth that never sinned.  I have prayed for the Lord's guidance and comfort so I could become more comfortable and willing to do so. I now love when I have the opportunity to share my story of redemption. I love to help others understand aspects of the Bible and how the Holy Spirit may work within them. Expression of faith is something that must be practiced in order to gain comfort to share with others. The Lord holds my life, I do not.

Gym Life

How scary it can be to share our faith at the gym (or fill in the blank with a place you find yourself often with potentially spiritually lost people) in front of so many people! Many of those people are at the gym with self glorifying reasons, but a few I hope are there to renew their bodies and build a strong temple for the Lord. We have the honor and responsibility to be a banner for Christ everywhere we go. The gym is a place that is spiritually dark and needs messengers of the Good News to be presented! If you have an opportunity to share your faith the next time you are at the gym, be courageous, give it a shot. You miss every chance you that you decide to not take.

A Christ-centered mind involves knowing why you are bettering your body. Consume yourself on the best energy source, Christ. Feel the burn in the gym for Christ. Put your everything into every workout, because Christ put everything on the cross for you. Set your heart ablaze.

How I Remind Myself 

I have found some crucial verses to remind myself of how I am to live my life for Christ. We are adequate through the justification process by God. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." 

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Encouragement to Share Your Faith 

1 Peter 3:15-16 " But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." 

Christ gives us divine appointments to share our faith, take these times and pour your heart and faith out. Christ is glorified when we have the courage share our story and His story. Christ is alive now! Our God reigns over everything for all of eternity. There is a reason to share His story of triumph! 

Sensitivity to Darkness

Keep your heart sensitive to the sin that creeps into your life. If we let our mind and heart become numb to the distance from God that is created when we choose to sin, it can easily become daily life. Constantly remind yourself that God is above all things. Ask yourself is what you are doing pleasing to The Lord. If God were to be accompanying you during your sinful actions or thoughts would He be happy or proud? Though we all fall short of the glory of God, we can strive to live and to love like Jesus. Habitually committing sin will keep you away from experiencing the Holy Spirit's power and direction. Mistakes happen and we will fall short, but it shall not be a habit formed for daily life. Keep yourself sensitive to sin and on fire for God.



Christians still Stumble

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. - James 4:17 

So what does this verse exactly mean? It means that as Christians we are given security in Jesus Christ. We realized that we once were lost and needed a Savior. As Christians we obtain knowledge from the Bible about what is required and expected of us. If we know that a particular action or thought is sinful and we still do it, it is sin. The Lord knows the knowledge that each of us obtain. Christians still stumble even though they have been justified through faith in Jesus. 

  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . - Romans 3:23

Sensitive Heart and Mind

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Christ wants your journey in life to be focused and directed in His grace, will, and passion. Christ has renewed our soul and has strengthened our minds with His word. In Christ we are made new! The old you has now passed away and you are born again through the love of Christ. He is our healer, stronghold, and giver of life. He has made each on of us in His likeness. Your journey has just begun. Take up your belongings and set foot on the greatest journey through life with the best tour guide you will ever follow. 

Facing Daunting Tasks

-Discipleship-

Surrounding yourself around fellow Christians will help keep your life on track. The people that you choose to spend your time with, will determine the actions that you accept. Surround yourself with others that are after God’s own heart, after His truth, His vision, and His pursuit to spread the word to others. During the toughest of seasons, these friendships can propel you forward. They can encourage you to continue to pursue greatness. These friendships will remind you that all that truly matters is what you do for the Lord, all the material things are temporary. Relationships have eternal value. Facing the daunting tasks of our tomorrows becomes a lot easier knowing that you are loved by those around you.

-Eternal Security-

Once you are saved by the grace of God, you will always have the Lord present within your soul. The Lord is your forever master. Living a life of obedience to the Lord is how one may secure such a gift of eternal life. The tasks of tomorrow end up becoming not as daunting when you realize that you have eternal security within the kingdom of the Lords.

-Process of Peace-

Though the tasks may be ever pressing and increasingly daunting, the Lord is with you every step of the way. The Lord craves your longing for Him to ask for his guidance and intervention. The Lord has a divine message within the struggles that we face. The Lord may be forming you into a stronger individual to be ready for the upcoming events of your life. Eternal peace will save you from so much worry and stress. The Lord is the ultimate stress reliever. Let Him take control over your situations. The Lord wants to soothe your soul with His promises and encouraging words. The Tasks that once were so daunting can become tasks that are doable with help from the Lord. Let the Lord set the pace. Leave your problems at the feet of Jesus, He longs to give you rest.

-Providence-

The Lord works each situation in life out uniquely. Though we may not understand why we have to face certain situations/tasks in life, the Lord is forever righteous. Food for thought: once the task is complete, it’s complete!! There is a new day tomorrow and the Lord is gracious to forgive us each and every single day. A priori, of how often we come to the conclusion that we know that the outcome will be awful before we have even started a task! Being a perfectionist is coming that has been a struggle with me in the realm of school work and other various forms of work that I partake in. Just because I don’t receive an A on every assignment or complete a task in the correct manner, does not mean that I’m a failure. It simple means that I’m human and that I’m capable of improvement at all times. The Lord is the only person to have ever achieved perfection. Through the Lord’s eternal gift of salvation, He clothes us in a robe of perfection before His very eyes.

Key Verses:

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you (1 Peter 5:10 ESV).

 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1 2-4 ESV).

Crippling Fear

One of the biggest emotions that can cripple a person is fear. We all have experienced fear at some point or another. Fear can keep us from going after our dreams and aspirations.

In the Word- Digging deep into the book of Joshua we can get a glimpse of how fear can spread like a wild fire. Caleb was a faithful servant unto the Lord. Caleb was one of the nine men that was sent to scout out the promise land. When the other men reported giants within the land and expressed their fears, their fear spread through the camp like a fire. Joshua 14: 8 “but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.” Caleb was filled with hope that with God on their side, the land could be taken over. Caleb wanted the people to have faith on God’s promise of deliverance.

What did Jesus have to say about worrying? “Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV)

Life Application

-          Surrender to God

       The only answer to conquering your fears is by giving them over to God. God will carry every one of your burdens. Caleb acquired this particular skill successfully. Caleb surrendered his fears to the Lord and followed the Lord’s vision for his life. The Lord placed all your burdens on the cross when He died for your sins. 

-          Perfect Peace

      Through Jesus Christ there remains perfect peace. Bring all your worries and fears to the feet of Jesus. He wants us to seek after Him and come to Him in our time of need. Once we become filled with the Holy Spirit we have allowed God to not only transform our souls, but we have allowed Him to penetrate every area of our lives. God does not want an entry pass to one area of our lives, He wants a VIP pass into every corner that we may be hiding from Him. Exposing yourself to the Lord allows you to be set free. Perfect peace is able to overwhelm your heart.

-          Daily Life

              “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom – Oh how true this is! Worry can consume us. You can spend an entire day circulating your thoughts around what you are worried about. You can sit and watch people walk by laughing and having a good time, while you sit there a prisoner to your own self. God did not want you to be a prisoner to your own thoughts. Our thoughts have the ability to encourage us or defeat us.

-          What will fuel your day?

              Will fear cripple you or will faith consume your soul? Choose to walk steadfast in the faith of the Lord. Overcome your fear with the way of Christ. Do not accept defeat as the final answer. Defeat is nothing, but a roadblock. Defeat is a test to see how much you are willing to fight for what you know is right. Become a believer and leave the doubt at the door. Be thankful for your position within the Lords kingdom. He has given you knew life and has never given up on you. He is your number one fan. The Lord wants to be the energy that pumps through your veins. He wants to be what gets you motivated in the early morning hours.

Confession of the Day: I declare that today is the Lord’s Day. I pray that God will strip away any fear that may be trying to cripple my spirit. I pray that you drive away any negative thoughts that may be trying to consume my thought pattern. I can face anything with the Lord’s help. Lord give me faith in the midst of my doubts.

Key Verses: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? – (Psalm 56:3-4)

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”- (Psalm 34:4).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).

Thankfully Content during this Season

What does it really mean to be content you may ask? It isn't a feeling of everything is fine and it isn't having all your needs met. Being content in the season that the Lord has placed you in is a series acceptance.

1. The Lord's Process
     
             The Lord's timing is indeed perfect timing. The Lord hears the prayers of His children. He also knows what we need and when we need it. Often times, the Lord's process involves trials that shape us into what we need to become in order to be able to handle the nest season the Lord has prepared for us. During a trial, it is important to remember that through these hard times the Lord might be sending you through a type of "basic training". Trust in His process.

2. Faithfulness in the Now
         
             There is no chance that the Lord has made a mistake within your situation. We often lack taking the time to understand our circumstances. Being faithful in the midst of the storm is tough to do, but oh how rewarding it truly is. Not only is being faithful glorifying to God, but you gain the ability to withstand hardships. God will show you the way. Let God fight your battles. Remaining faithful will allow God to fully work within your situation.

3. Life is Short

            Life is too short to worry about every little issue that arises. Every morning I think of two things that I'm thankful for. This has trained not only my mind, but it has also trained by heart to search for things to be thankful for. Remember to smile and look for the good in every outcome. Connect with others and share your story of redemption. Joy comes to those that welcome happiness. I have realized over the years that life will pass you by if you let it. I try to be intentional about making plans to take adventures with friends, going to church, visiting family, and truly making time for others. A job is a crucial factor in life, but in the end all that truly matters is the relationships that you carried through life.

4. Trusting God to Provide the "ONE" 

          Being a girl in her early 20's leads to the ever pressing question of so many family members....have you found a man? Nope. God is taking His time preparing whom ever He has called for me. I have peace within this area of my life. I realize that my career and adventurous heart is enough for me to handle right now. I trust that there is a man after God's own heart out there that would be compatible with my lifestyle. Until then, I will continue praising the Lord for all His blessings in my Life.

Thanksgiving break! 

         Thanksgiving break is filled with seeing friends, family, baking, and singing songs around the fire. I love coming home to the mountains and being in a crowded house with family. My family is a very loud, joke cracking, and full of life family. We gather around the kitchen and living room (because there is so many of us) we say a prayer and dig into the food! Afterwards, we always break out the board games and the laughter continues for hours. I love this time of year. Family from out of state and the cousins come in from different colleges to gather together to make memories. I'm thankful this year for all the memories we are making.

Key Verses: 

( Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18) - Being truly content during every season that the Lord has given you is what God desires of us. We are far more blessed than we even realize. 

(And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17) - Being thankfully content during this season of your life is when peace from the Lord has filled your heart. God has called us to be filled with peace. When we are content we are able to experience joy, even when we may not have full understanding. 

A Prayer to Pray

Lord thank you for your unending blessings and for your guidance through every season of my life. I pray that you have continue to remind me that I must be content when when I may not have all the answers.