Hey Ladies, I hope this Monday finds you enjoying the mercies of God that are fresh every morning. I know I say it a lot on the blog, but you truly are beautiful, just the way God made you to be. I want to share with you this new song that was just released on Sunday (25th) off Britt Nicole's newest album, 'Gold'. I pray this blesses your heart, as you continully seek God's truth of who you are in Him, and are transformed more and more into the woman He has destined you to be...Blessings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W-19rbPEIM

Just being with God…an important lesson I was reminded of this week.

This past week has been a little difficult, personally for me. After a good 6 months of prayer, God finally gave me the ‘okay’ to make a decision to go into another area of ministry that I am passionate about. It is difficult because I will be leaving Children’s Ministries, and I don’t want the kids to stop having worship time, but on the other hand, I have such an overwhelming peace about making this decision. In addition, a friend of mine asked how I was doing, and I was open about what’s going on in life. It was as if the Holy Spirit spoke through this individual...

Have you ever felt as though you’re not where you assumed you’d be 5 years ago? Well pondering on what ‘my plans’ were and what amazing things God has done I am thankful for His work in my life, leading me another direction. Sometimes I feel as though I have to earn God’s favor and love. That is nothing but a lie from Satan. (Have you felt that way before?) Well, sometimes I have the hardest time just being quiet before God and letting Him speak to me, and me be silent. Well, this friend of mine reminded me that God takes great joy in me, and is already pleased with me. That brought me to tears as I was reminded of God’s faithfulness and never-ending, forever love. He just wants to be with me.

I say all of this to encourage you ladies that no matter what lies we tend allow Satan to feed us, God says otherwise. God has destined us, as women to be women of faith, pursuing Christ daily, making Him our first and foremost priority. As we seek His face, He will lead us in the direction of life that He will bring most glory to His name from.  It is my prayer that God’s desire and heart for my life become mine; not the reverse. Yes, I have my hopes and dreams, but even those don’t weight as much on my heart, than what I really, whole-heartedly desire from God.

I am reminded of Esther and Ruth in the Old Testament. I’m sure Ruth never intended on her husband passing away, moving to a completely different country with her mother-in-law, meeting another man from that country and getting married. Esther, an orphan, having her cousin Mordecai raise her, and end up becoming Queen of Persia and saving her people.

Whether you believe it right now or not, God has you placed in the place you are right now for a purpose. We don’t have to understand the ‘why’, but trust that God is working is beautiful plan out in our lives, as we daily walk in loving obedience to Him.

Let’s continue to trust God fully (like a trust fall into Him) daily, and watch with anticipation, how He works in our lives, and uses us for His glory and honor.

I pray you all enjoy a blessed weekend, enjoying the joy and peace and freedom in Jesus Christ!

Ladies, I heard this song recently and thought of you...you are Destined for Greatness! It's easy as women to compare ourselves to others, or go back and hold onto the broken chains God's released us from of guilt and shame. God desires to use our story of His redemption, healing, and forgiveness to encourage others. One of your greatest witnessing tools is your testimony. Don't bottle it up inside, assuming it's not important. Rather, seek God to provide opportunities to share God's work in your life. You never know if your story might just be the very thing that will be a breakthough for another woman. God see's us as His children, loved, cherished, valued, eternally loved...now walk in the freedom our Great God has graciously given us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DK7arkztw&feature=relmfu

Ladies, here is something to bless your day as you begin to wind down for the day....Bountiful blessings!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPqLA89Mj3I&feature=bf_prev&list=AVAYMcY2vx8GSY4mnt6aKTZu4jW6tvH9xN&lf=list_related

Life Check

“All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”   ~Isaiah 40:6-8

“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?”  ~Isaiah 40:25-26

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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 40:28-31

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” ~Isaiah 41:13

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you.” ~Isaiah 41:6

“Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth. “ ~Isaiah 42:10

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” ~Isaiah 43:1

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” ~Isaiah 43:2

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing an new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ~Isaiah 43:18-19

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” ~Isaiah 43:25

“Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it!” ~Isaiah 44:23

As I meditate on these Scriptures from Isaiah, I am reminded of the constant struggle of my flesh, and the vital truth of trusting God and walking in obedience to Him. How many times do we find ourselves comparing ourselves to other individuals? God has created us who we are, where we are in life, and what we do for a specific reason and purpose. I think sometimes we tend to get impatient with the work God is trying to do in us, and we try to become someone we are not. God is God. If we could understand why He chooses to do everything He does, how would we learn to trust and depend on Him? Maybe this might scare you, but I challenge you to take a risk and take a trust fall into God. I promise you, it is safe to fully and completely trust God. I’ve learned recently the importance of complete trust in God. At first it might seem to be a frightening thing, as one who doesn’t trust people easily due to having trust broken in the past. But why should I compare God to others who’ve broken my trust in the past? God is God and that is more than enough to trust him with my whole life. No matter what we’re going through in life, God is with us and will always be with us, every moment of every day.  We might not always feel his presence or Him close to us, but as it says in Deuteronomy 31:6, God will never leave us hanging, or forsake us. I like what my dad says, ‘Whatever God leads you to, He will lead you through.’ It is so very true. Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Matthew 19:26 states, All things are possible with God. He will never give us more than we can handle (although sometimes we tend to differ about that). I think we tend to sometimes get caught up in the past, whether it’s sin or just circumstances that have occurred. How can God grow us, if we choose to dwell on the past? God has greater things for us. Yes, those things happened, but God also wants us to move on, heal us and mold us to a shining picture of His love. Not to mention the God-ordained opportunities to be His hands and feet, to those who need to see Jesus. Who knows, you might be the only ‘walking Bible’ an indvidual(s) see in this lifetime. So let’s make the most of every opportunity God gives us, seek God’s wisdom and discernment to identify those opportunities and boldly proclaim God’s love those those in need. Let’s choose to praise God for who He is, His unconditional love and sacrifice for us as we passionately pursue God and let Him have 1^st priority in our lives.

Remember, God chose to created us, love us, he greatly desires for us to have an intimate relationship with Him. His love is unlike any other love we will ever experience in this lifetime. Why? It’s because His love will never stop. His love is unending, unconditional…forever!  “You are precious in my eyes… I love you.” Isaiah 43:4

Questions to ponder…

What am I living for/striving for in my life?

What am I holding onto that God wants me to surrender to Him?

What is God leading me to do, that I am reluctant about, that I need to be obedient?

Is there any unforgiveness or grudges I have against anyone? (If God has given me such forgiveness and grace, how can I not be forgiving to this individual(s)?)

What am I caught up on, that I just need to trust God with, even though I don’t see the whole picture?

May God continue to mold and refine us into His image so the world will be drawn to Him.