Her new shoes, and the God moment

A couple nights ago God just decided to teach me a whole bunch of amazing things.

My sister got new shoes this week so she wants to wear them everywhere. She can't tie them on her own so before she went to kids church on Wednesday she was strictly told NOT to take her shoes off until she got home. It just so happened that at kids church that night the game was called "the shoe game" which requires taking off ones shoes. My sister was the only kid who did not play the game of the night.
It amazes me how young we are when God starts teaching us and testing us. My sis definitely passed her test of obedience. I can't easily remember any test I went through when I was young, but they must have been there. She was still joyful when she got home that night and told us that story.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." -James 1:2-3

The other thing God taught me happened while I was reading my devotional and Bible that same night.

"Then the king said to me, 'What do you request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my father's tombs, that I may rebuild it.'" -Nehemiah 2:4-5

Here is Nehemiah, a simple cupbearer of the king. The king notices Nehemiah's sad face and asks about it. Nehemiah explains that the city he loves lays in ruins, so how can he be happy. So the king grants Nehemiah's wish to go and rebuild the city wall and gate. But in verse four it states that Nehemiah prayed to God before he responded to king. In all of his stress and sorrows he remembered God. "...So I prayed to the God of heaven..." And then Nehemiah answered the king. Nehemiah found favor in the kings sight, therefore his request was granted. Also, notice that Nehemiah wasn't even worried about how he was going to rebuild the wall; he just knew that God was going to help him.
-Jocelyn

GODS NOT DEAD!

God is faithful and just. He is good, righteous, loving, patient...he is everything you and I need.

More than enough.

Never underestimate the amazing God we serve.

His word is true...And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Remember that his timing is different from ours. And remember Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

WOW! God is so good.

Last night I was thinking about the first time I got a glimpse of God's glory. It was absolutely amazing. This has happened a few times. Everything in me longs to stay in that place with God. A place where I am filled with an amazing peace and joy that only comes when you have been in the presence of God. I had this burning passion. I would bring my sister out into the garage for Bible study, planning on it taking half an hour, but every single time I would start talking I would lose myself and it would go on for hours. It was amazing. God was speaking to me and through me. After a few months things changed. It felt like God was testing my faith, and in that time I would get on my knees and pray. I would humble myself before Him and every time I did I could hear His voice so clearly. My heart lost that burning passion after a while. Last night was the first time in a long time that I spent time alone with God. I spent so much time praying. Praying that He would rekindle the flame within me. I prayed about every thing big and small that was holding me back from living in that wonderful place I talked about earlier. I asked the Lord for scripture and this is what he gave me...Psalms 51

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me...

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart...

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit...

It was exactly what I needed. The Lord is always faithful!

The sermon today was another answer to prayer. The Pastor talked about a few things, but the part that really hit me was when he talked about the transfiguration. 

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

You know when you get a glimpse of the glory of God you never want to leave. You want to stay there. You want to set up camp and stay there forever. But the pastor made a good point when he said we weren't made to spend our lives "on the mountaintop". We were made to live in the valley. When I first heard this I questioned it, but he went on to say, Yes, the mountaintop is the best, and He gives us those seasons, but you can't always stay on the mountaintop. He puts us in the valley for a reason. He puts us there to build our faith. He puts us there to help...to make disciples. The valley is a privilege. If we always stay up on the mountaintop how can those who don't know Jesus come to know Him? How can we bring hope to those hurting? We were made to live in the valley. So the encouragement I got is that whenever I go through a season that isn't exactly what I want and isn't a place that is comfortable it's not always a bad thing. And I have realized that I need to work on thriving in every place God puts me...not just on the mountaintop. So wherever I am I need to press in more, seek God more, and pray more. Bless the Lord in EVERY circumstance. On the mountaintop and in the valley.

I'll be seventeen in a few hours...

6,209 days old

I guess I am writing this to get my thoughts down. Not to get all Debby downer but I have wasted so much of my life being selfish and prideful. Yes I know I'm only seventeen, but still I wish my eyes had been on Jesus and only on Him from the beginning. On the bright side, looking back I can see how far I've come. How much I have grown. How much Jesus Christ has transformed me. I am overjoyed to know he is still transforming me even now.

Despite the pride that still wants to sneak up into my thoughts and actions, and despite my constant need for direction and forgiveness, God loves me unconditionally and he is faithful and gracious. I love Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

As I start this new year I am coming to the reality that I am practically an adult who will need a job, probably be going to college, and eventually have my own place. This creeps me out, but I am also so excited because I have seen the amazing things Jesus does when we take a step of faith and fix our eyes on Jesus. I want to fix my eyes on Jesus now and for the rest of my life because I want to bring glory to him and I am willing and able to do whatever it is he wants me to do as long as I don't look down.

I'm so excited that I am able to see how God is using me now and even more excited to see how He will use me in the future.

I am crazy blessed with some amazing friends. People that encourage me to be obedient to God. People who genuinely love me and definitely show it. This past year has been interesting and eye opening. I'm so thankful that even though people will let you down God will never. ever. let you down. He is faithful and true and pure. He is love.

Lord God, may everything I do be pleasing to you. Here I am Lord, use me. I want to be your hands and feet. I want to show everyone I meet how much you love them. Thank you for the amazing people you have put in my life. Thank you for my new forever brothers! Thank you for my parents who are supportive, encouraging and loving. They are not just my parents but also my friends. Thank you for my sisters. Thank you for Dani and her passion for you. I pray her passion would only grow. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I love you Lord!

My eyes were opened this morning to the fact that we are never guaranteed a tomorrow...

You are never guaranteed a next breath...

How is it that all of us can take life for granted so easily? As Christians it is so dangerous to do that. Let us not forget that every single breath is a gift from God. Every moment of the day we have the chance to bring glory to God or not. We have the chance to show love or not. The chance to forgive and serve.

I don't want to waste my time here. It's selfishness that holds me back. It's pride. 

It's Monday morning and as we are headed to work, school or even just staying at home, I encourage you to think about it...really think about the fact that, as Mother Teresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Let us show love. Let us apologize and forgive. Let us encourage. Let us serve. Let us do everything we do to bring glory to God who is the giver of every breath you and I breath. And in doing so, let us pray that hearts would be changed and given to God. 

Grace and peace to you today and the rest of the week!

-Ally