What do you face today?

You may not know what you will face today, but know God will get you through. He fights for you, battles for you, and loves you. When you feel weary call out to Him, when you need comfort simply say His name, Jesus.  When you feel frustrated, scared, like no one understands, simply talk with Him- tell Him your concerns, tell Him your fears, be vulnerable and open to Him.  He sees your heart, He counts your tears, and He has promised to never leave.

Today and everyday He is your God, your Father, your Faithful Friend; today and everyday He pours out unconditional love and covers us with grace. Today and everyday He heals, restores, and renews, not because He owes it to us, but because His love is unwavering.

If you have a relationship with Jesus then you receive all of His promises, no matter what you are facing today, know that He is right there with you, seek Him and He will get you through.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

      Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

      I will strengthen you,

      Yes, I will help you,

      I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

While you are going through it, remember God has a plan for it!

 When adversities come against us, we want to question why it is happening to us?  How could this trial bring good?  Why must I endure?

We ask these questions because we do not know what God has planned.  Our capacity limits us to know, even though our mind strains to understand. Our faith demands that we lay down all our cares to the Lord so that He, in His mighty power and authority, will guide and take care of us.

The Lord has far greater understanding and far greater knowledge than we do, He created the world. He alone knows the plan He has for it and for each one of us individually. In our weakness we will glorify His strength and ability. When we go through trials and praise Him, we glorify His name. When tribulations hit us, He can stretch us, and mold us, and give us a powerful testimony.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

No matter what you face: guilt, a broken marriage, anxiety, health problems, financial problems, loneliness- don’t let the devil make you doubt that God isn’t right there with you. If you turn to Him, He will never leave you. You may not know why you have to go through it, but trust that God has a plan for it.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Randomosity: Part 4

Randomosity: The state of being or being part of random occurrences & activities. Also known as being in a state of complete randomness

This week has been wonderful. Blessings have been abundent! Here are some words and thoughts that have inspired me this week!

Glory to God in the highest! Praise Him for what He is about to do. Trust, lean on and rely on Him. His strength will get you through. His love will comfort. His promises are never broken. When your mind says no, let your spirit say YES! Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  Ask and you shall receive.  Go to Him. Ask for your plan, for your purpose. Ask for an increase. Seek. Believe. Trust the Lord wholeheartedly. Jesus, He is with us, He will guide us, for the rest of our days. Let Him be the one your heart beats for!

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Distracted December –or – Devoted December

This is the busiest time of the year: Christmas decorations to put up, packages to wrap, shopping trips, cookies to be baked, plans to be made, holiday events, parties and get togethers, the list goes on and on.  With such a fast paced month ahead the importance of where we put our time, our eyes and our energy has been weighing heavily on my heart.  TV shows, music, events, traditions and people all can affect what and who we deem as important. Things of this world can knock our priorities out of balance in an instant. When our priorities are out of balance the devil is delighted and will take advantage of kicking us when we are already wobbly. If you are drained, unmotivated or simply tired look at where you are putting your time and what you are investing in.

Worship, church, the word, prayer, fellowship are all activities that will refresh and renew you. With the holidays in full swing it is so easy to get distracted: the demands of people, traditions and events can be exhausting to keep up with. While we are running around, hopping from one store to another or one party to another, it’s easy to forget that these distractions make us tread on unsteady ground. This holiday season keep your priorities straight, stay firm with Jesus and put Him first. 

Christmas is not about how many lights are on the tree or how many presents there are left to get it’s about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. About the promise that He gave us, about the ransom He paid, and how He opened a way to Heaven to all who have a relationship with Him. Don’t buy into the distractions, this December show Him your devotion for the precious gift He gave us!

Matthew 1:18-25

New King James Version (NKJV)

Christ Born of Mary

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

Trust Him

When times are uncertain we try to rationalize, explain, evaluate our odds. Trying to figure out what is right or come up with our own strategic plan. When unsteady times approach us, our mind plays all the available outcomes. What decision should I make? What should we do? What is the answer? Will it work out? Will it be okay? We rationalize over and over again what possible chance the event will unfold to our benefit, what we can say, what we can do to make the most out of our situation.  We spend hours unfolding, refolding the events; doing a play by play of what happened or what might happen.

Don’t let the world or the enemy steal those precious hours from you.  Instead focus on the Lord and trust Him. Trusting in Him means we let go of our ways, our management strategies, our tactics, our ideas and rely on the Lord’s ability, strength, and promise to us. 

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 
Psalm 18:30

After all, the Lord has a plan for us. It is a plan in which He designed, but these plans always include us needing God.  He also designed us to need Him.  When these uncertain times approach us, and they will, remember God can be found at the center of it all. Turn your control over to Him and simply trust Him.

The LORD will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

Thankful

          My heart is so abundantly thankful for this life You have given me. For all the shortcomings and the falls that have brought me to this very point. For the second and third times I have turned from You, only to find You stronger again. I am thankful You are my foundation, my source of strength and for the reminder of how small I really am. You humble me every day- by how big Your love is, by your unchanging ways, by Your light that always guides me. I am thankful You have exposed me to Your miracle working ways, that You fill me up with such passion for You, such Love. You have given me the joy of a child and removed fear of this world. You replaced worry with courage and took my timid ways and made me bold. For each breath I am blessed, for each blessing I am amazed and for each opportunity to glorify Your name I am thankful.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

Materialistic Isn’t Realistic: Focus On What Matters

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

          Society has defined success as a posh new car, the latest technology gadget, a new house, vacation home, high end clothing, designer everything- a list that is seemingly impossible to keep up with. Some work there entire life just to give themselves, their kids, or their family the demands of what society deems as successful. But in the midst of working hard to have better, to have more, we can easily lose sight of reality: The things of the world die in the world. And when we leave; our fancy new car, our designer home, our multi-carat diamond rings don’t go with us. When we go to eternity we don’t get to take a suitcase of our most precious items with us, yet we work so hard for things of the earth.

          It is better to live as a simple sheep living with less in the world, less distractions that take away from God, then to live with a fixation on the glamorous materials of the world. Be cautious of today, of where you put your energy, your time and your investment. Invest first in God and He will provide for your needs, here on earth and eternity.  But invest in the world, in materials; trying to get more for yourself and you just may hamper your investment in eternity.

         Our time is short here on earth, don’t let the prize of possessions distract you from the reality of eternity. Forever with Jesus is what matters.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

When you get earth shattering news remember your solid ground is found in Jesus.

Have you ever received a phone call, a message, news that was filled with so much pain it shatters the world around you. Much like running into a cement wall it hits you full force and all hope seems to diminish.  A few seconds before you answered the phone, opened the door, had the conversation life was normal, things were good and pleasant. When things are calm reality strikes best.  If you ever received a call like this, the first few seconds feel like chaos; what do you say, where do you turn, what do you do?

The answer is found in Jesus.

When your world has been shaken, when you need solid ground, turn to God.  In this ever changing world He alone can give you stability, a reassurance that He will listen, guide and be a rock for you. The important thing is to not forget God when hard times, trials and chaos strike.  The enemy takes emergencies and uses them to pull you away from the Lord.  When times are hard and things seem hopeless, lean more on God, and know that hope is with Him.  When we are following Him, Gods promise to us is that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Whatever you are going through this season, this hour, this minute know that you aren’t alone but God is there. When all seems shaky, stand on your solid ground Jesus has provided and call on your God.

Hebrews 13:5 (AMP)

… be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down!

*****************

Psalm 112:7 NIV

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Randomosity: Part 3

Randomosity: The state of being or being part of random occurrences & activities. Also known as being in a state of complete randomness.

This past week has been wonderfully inspirational. I have heard some great testimonies, witnessed God moving in mighty powerful ways and have felt so inspired. I wanted to share some inspirational thoughts from this past week!

Dear God Thank you for this beautiful Life. Be blessed by each day -not just the good ones.  God renews us each and every day. Mercy, Hope, Love are three ingredients we need daily.  Be bold in your faith. Talk about Jesus. Spread the Gospel. Speak Life. Don’t just ask for grace but be gracious.  Continual Praise = energy.  Have a giving spirit. Be humble. Don’t assume the worst. Trust God, He will never leave you nor forsake you.  God made you and you are not a copy, but an original design. See the beauty in you. See the love God has for you. Never forget you have a purpose. Put God first and your life will be abundant. Love always <3

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

It’s Not A Ritual; It’s A Relationship

        Knowing God is so much more than going to church on Sunday morning or praying one time a day- that monotony is simply strategic religion. What God wants us to have is a lifestyle that promotes and glorifies Him.  Going to church every Sunday is wonderful, but if that is all the time you give Him, you are ignoring God’s wish for us to glorify Him in all we do.

       To actually live every hour with the Lord is what God wants. To acknowledge the Lord throughout your day, to talk to Him about your concerns, your troubles, to listen when you need guidance or have a decision to make and to praise Him for what He has done in your life. To live a life that is directed and shaped by God, to have a lifestyle where God is put first and to have a true relationship with Him is what God wants from us.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

He's the one who will keep you on track.

Don't assume that you know it all.

Proverbs 3:6 (MSG)

        Think about how much time you invest in God, I challenge you to think about your priorities  and consciously consider if God is on the top of your list. Church and prayer are extremely important but are you doing them strategically or doing them with a heart filled with passion for God?


At any hour God wants a relationship with you!



You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Eternity or Eternity- The Choice is Yours

Forever in Heaven or

forever in Hell.

Eternity is real,

And can’t be escaped;

For we are all going to one of two places.

Don’t be fooled.

We die on earth
but rise or fall,
Are lifestyle determines our fate.

Do you choose the things of the world?
Or the word of God?
Did you sell your soul to distractions,
and self interest, greed?
Or give glory to God and in Him find your strength,
 and continued to believe.

Angles bring freedom;
but demons bring sin.
Eternity is real.
But reality can’t be escaped.

Where your heart is you will go;
to Heaven above,
or Hell below.
Your soul has an owner,
and only you will know the direction.

Don’t be fooled, we all go to one or the other.
Forever torment,
or forever peace.
Eternity is reality.
Our souls are bought,
never leased.

God knows you, He created you...

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139: 1-6

People are the most valuable asset we have, not only is everyone created by our Father, but each one of us has been designed with special gifts, special talents and a special purpose.  If you think there is nothing special about you, you are denying the goodness of God’s creation. You see God knows you, inside and out, what you like, how you will react, what choices you will make.  He knows you because He made you.

If you are stuck and do not know your strengths or how to be used to spread Gods Glory then simply ask Him. Just like asking your Father for advice, seek God, He will tell you about your future and give you a vision.

It’s important to keep God first, to ask Him how you should spread His word, to ask how He wants to use you as a tool to reach others. If you have family members, friends or co-workers who are not in touch with God, pray and ask God to give you wisdom; you see God knows them better than we do and He alone knows what they will respond to.

To tap into your strengths and Gods plan for you, you must go to God directly. Talk to Him, tell Him your concerns, your ideas and then listen for guidance from the Lord. Each one of us has a plan and a future and God is more than happy to reveal it to us in His way and His time, all we have to do is pray.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)

Once Astray, Now Renewed; Move Forward with Jesus, He Makes all Things New!

All we like sheep have gone astray;

     We have turned, every one, to his own way;

     And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all

Isaiah 53:6

No matter what our past is, no matter what trials we have been through and over come, God can make us new again.  You see our faith, our trust and love for Jesus restores us, we become new.  God renews us by giving us grace, delivering us, healing us and requiring us to lean on Him- surrendering all our problems, all our concerns and worries to Him.  For when we do this we are strengthened; we no longer fight the world alone, but we have the greatest Warrior working on our behalf.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

If your past gets you down, it’s time to move forward with Jesus, it’s time to give Him your worries and trust that He will not only protect you, but strengthen you. For when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we let Jesus lead our lives, our lives become new in Him.

But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

When it comes to your enemies let the Lord fight the battle for you: Who would you rather have working for you? Yourself or the Creator of all?

Throughout our lifetime we will face enemies. We will be continually tested because as much as our God is present, so is the Devil.  The truth is the Devil wants to target Christians and wants to destroy them by any means necessary; evil doers will be a constant through the end of times. So as a Christian what should we do when enemies come our way?  When others do us wrong? When we have been hurt?

The Bible tells us we are to forgive, to give our cares to God and trust in Him:

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:9-12

*****************

Cast your burden on the LORD,

And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22

********************

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

********************

Part of forgiving is giving our problems to God. Trusting that God will handle the problem and defend us against our enemies.  God is far stronger than any of us, He holds better judgment, better wisdom, He knows the future, and His perspective is far greater, so you should trust Him with your problems and with your enemies.  

As humans we want to control how our enemies will pay, but as Christians we must trust God, who is greater or stronger than Him? And who would you rather have working for you? Yourself or the Creator of all?

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil

1 John 3:8

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

If you are searching this earth for things to fulfill you, you will always end up with a certain amount of emptiness...

Without God in your life you will continue to search for things, trying to fulfill some void that you may have, the void of feeling incomplete, out of balance, like you will never be enough, a failure or even the feeling of always falling short. No matter how fast you climb up the corporate ladder, how many friends you have, or other successes you accomplish the feeling of not enough will linger, until God is put first in your life.

The only relationship that will make you feel 100% complete is the relationship with God. He above all things can guide you on the path that He created for you. Your completeness rests in Him, He loves you, He wants you to succeed because He designed you. God knows your every thought, your every care and your every concern.  When you look to Him for His guidance, for the plan He created, He will lead you down a straight and narrow path. Every step will lead towards your destiny and you will feel peace knowing that your advisor is God.

When you feel incomplete, seek God, tell Him your fears, your concerns, ask Him for guidance on your future. Give it all to Him and He, creator of all, will lead you.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world,
and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2:8-10

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Earthly Duties: Do Them With Joy

Isn’t it the ultimate test to do something you aren’t so happy about, or work with people you would rather not work with, or be involved in something you would rather skip? This world is full of responsibilities, commitments, meetings that we all don’t eagerly sign up for. But as we go and do these daily earthly duties it’s important to do them with joy.

If all we do is complain about the situation or circumstance then we miss the opportunity to show others the love that we receive from Jesus. When we are faced with an unattractive situation and stay positive, we will get more out of it, we will have a positive impact on others involved and our joy and love will show through.  Positivity is powerful.    

                                                  If I say, “I will forget my complaint,
                                            I will put off my sad face and wear a smile.”
                                                                        Job 9:27

Jesus has countless examples of how He loved others; people who denied Him and who turned against Him, in situations where people didn’t believe Him.  Jesus still loved them. We will have people be rude to us, say catty and negative things about us, and ultimately we will  all be tested in difficult situations; when these situations occur we have a choice to make. We can either complain about them and the people involved or we can use grace, love and patients like God does with us each and every day.

                            He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
                                                                       John 1:11

So today I say to you, be positive, take those situations that seem draining and do them with Joy. Jesus is your role model. Love people, even your enemies.

                                         “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies,
                                 do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
                                              and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
                                                                      Luke 6:27-28

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Randomosity: Part 2

Randomosity: The state of being or being part of random occurrences & activities. Also known as being in a state of complete randomness.

Thoughts, Love, Inspiration that I hope blesses you this week!
  

God has something big planned for you, if you let Him in. Believe that you have value; believe that you are unique and wonderfully made. Believe that there is a calling on your life. Believe you are chosen to be His child. He loves you. He cares for you. He wants you to follow Him. To receive blessings. To love others like He loves you. God’s love in unwavering. God’s plans are bigger than you know. Don’t waste the talents God has given you. Give Him your baggage. Give Him your Pain. Pray. Love. Trust God with your whole heart. Walk with Him. He is waiting for you…

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

I Have A Testimony

Oh I have a testimony.

Torn between the depths of darkness and the life of light.

Between the goodness of God and the enemies might.

A spiritual strike for ownership of my soul;

Who would win, seemed out of my control

Oh I have a testimony.

Anxiety, fear, loneliness consumed me.

My eyes would not open, I was unable to see.

The loudest voice is all I could hear,

Contradictions and lies made me go near.

Oh I have a testimony.

I overcame darkness, the devil lost this fight.

Because God is greater, I turned to His light.

Once all my pillars fell, I became free.

The Spirit filled me up, He healed me.

Oh, He healed me.

My God healed me.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Coincidences or Miracles…are you looking to God to see what He will do or past God to explain what happened?

Each day we are given an opportunity to either serve God or to look past Him. Sure we hear a lot of bad in the world, but what about the good: a new job, a marriage being restored or a healing that occurred?  Think for a minute if you give God the glory for the good or do you consider it ironic, a coincidence or a matter of circumstance?

John 5:44

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another

but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

As a Christian when your focus is on God your perspective dramatically changes.  Things that might have at one time seemed coincidental now take a miracle platform. You see, God works in each and everything we do, every person we interact with, and is there in each situation we encounter.  If you are a follower of God, a child of the Father, you are given favor, blessings and protection.  Just like a father watches his child, God watches over you.

Psalm 5:12

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Good things are bound to happen to you, it is God’s doing, He is there. The next time something good comes your way give Him the Glory, for His goodness is what granted you that gift.


You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa