Something {Old} and Something {New}

   Change....a word that can be both frightening and exciting at the same time. This word encapsulates my life this week. Many changes are taking place in my life, and though I'm not a person who deals well with change and the unknowns, and let me tell you, this week definitely has it's unknowns, I have also been looking forward to the changes happening and am excited to share with you what the Lord has been doing. Change is something I have been praying about since October.God finally moved in a visible way this last week, and I am overjoyed!

    Change...my buzz word for the week. One of the biggest changes that I am happy to announce is the change of my job. I've not shared much, but for the last 6-7 months my current job, tutoring higher level disabled students and doing brain stimulating exercises with those who have lower cognitive ability, has taken a toll on me emotionally and physically. One of my students in particular who I was working with on behavior related issues was stretching me farther in learning to trust the Lord with my safety than I have ever needed to before. Some days I was never sure if walking away from this specific job would be done so on my own two feet or wheeled out on a gurney. I praise the Lord for His continued protection and shielding hand. Though I saw and experienced a lot, I also grew in my knowledge of the crippling effects mental disabilities can have not only on the person if affects, but also on the family members. With as stressful as this job was, I began praying that the Lord would open another job opportunity up for me, one in which I would be placed in a safer environment and working with others around me. Just last week I was called by the school district I work for offering me another position, and I was excited to accept! Praise God! My new job will be full time (30 hrs a week) with everything that comes with a full time position and it will also allow me to continue my own tutoring in the afternoons. I will be working one-on-one with a 4th grade non-verbal autistic child, and though I know this job wont be without its difficulties, God will be there beside me every step of the way for He has provided this new opportunity.

 
 Change...sometime we all go through during our life, most likely multiple times. This week I turn 24. For some reason I feel like I should be turning 25, BUT that's just me getting ahead of myself like usual. I am excited for this new year of my life...excited to see what God is going to do...excited for the changes I know will happen....excited for my trip to Europe (more on that later)...overall, excited for LIFE!

   Change...the week right before Spring break. Probably one of the first times I'm not sure of what I'll be doing other than sleeping in, reading, working out and drinking a cup of java! I am thoroughly excited for my spring break!

   Change...I'm desiring to become a person not ashamed of sharing the gospel and being a light to whomever I meet. I want to share about the saving power of Christ and why He is so precious to me.

   Change...This week is Resurrection week (Easter) and probably for the first time in my life, I am noticing all the vibrant changes that happen in nature. The bright hues of yellow, pink, and greens. Spring and Resurrection Sunday no longer signify bunnies and candy but a risen Lord and beautiful world. Maybe I'm slow in figuring this stuff out!


   Take time with me this week to praise the Lord for the changes in your life, both the good and the bad, for isn't He over all things? Nothing is above the help of God and nothing happens out of God's plan!

  ~Blessings~
 

 

Sovereignty of God {{Exposed}}

Some weeks we see the need for God's sovereignty more than others. We might catch ourselves joyfully living life one day with little thought to God's divine ordination of circumstances while the next day, in the difficult moments, we are constantly reminding ourselves that God has a plan and a purpose for everything; nothing is untouched by the sovereign will of God. We must realize that, in both the good and the bad, God's sovereignty never changes and isn't dependent on whether or not a thought crosses our mind concerning our dependency on Him.

“What defines us as Christians is not most profoundly that we have come to know him but that he took note of us and made us his own.”
― John Piper, Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God 

I am thankful that God saved me. I am thankful that out of the billions of people in the world, He called me His own and sealed me a place with Him forever. I am thankful that every moment of my life has been pre-planned. I am thankful that God is not dependent upon my frail humanity for anything. I am thankful that God is king. I am thankful that He holds the whole world within the palm of His hand. 

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in the scales?"

- Isaiah 40:12

Because God's sovereignty touches every aspect of our lives, this means we are free to live a fear free life."Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6. God's plan for your life can not me thwarted. He will not withhold any perfect thing from you that He has already planned to put in your path, nor will any difficulty you face be unmanageable for His mighty power. ALL things work according to His perfect plan. 

"But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20

Who are we to decide when and if we God can be in control of our life? Let me guarantee this, even in the moments when you think you have gained the upper hand, God is still God and is greater and mightier than ever. We are but dust, miniscule and powerless in comparison to Him. Find rest in the knowledge that you aren't in control of your life...your main objective should be to live a life that Glorifies the Lord and leave all the rest to Him. 

“If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled.”
― R.C. Sproul, Chosen by God

e strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) - See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=5#sthash.sopygeFa.dpuf

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) - See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=2#sthash.1iSugjfP.dpuf

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) - See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/How-to-Face-Fear-10-Bible-Verses-To-Inspire-Courage.aspx?p=2#sthash.1iSugjfP.dpuf

{{Learned}} Contentment ~ Leaning on Christ's Finished Work

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   As I sit here, this chilly February day, in my cozy home wrapped in a fuzzy blanket sipping a hot cup of tea and reading the last chapter in the book of Philippians, one would think that contentment would be the last thing on my mind. I live in America, have no immediate needs, a full refrigerator and clean drinking water await me in a clean kitchen, I have several quality friends, and yes, I live under a government that, though I disagree with morally and financially, still allows me religious freedom and the ability to have my own opinion which I can voice and will not be arrested for. Life is good.

   Yet the question than arises, why work on contentment? Aren't you 100% fully satisfied? Unfortunately, no...I'm human, your human...discontentment runs rampant, even in the best of times. In Philippians, Paul is quick to remind us that in whatever situation we find ourselves, contentment must be learned. "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." ~ Philippians 4:11 Even Paul himself, a man who wrote God's divinely inspired word, had to go through the courses of learning contentment. I have found that no matter what place of life I am in, there is always a piece of my heart that is not leaning on my hope in Christ, but rather, is looking for something else to fulfill me. Whether it be a lack of contentment in my job, salary, health and allergies, my singleness, my body, or my discontentment in the leadership God has placed in my life...contentment is always being {{learned}}. Yes, {{learned}}.

   Look back at Philippians 4:11, it is there that we see the word {{learned}} used in connection with contentment. At one point in time, I wrote down in my bible the following information, most likely given from some chapel speaker at The Master's College: "{{Learned.}} Greek form is mafano, which means continuously {{learned}}. It is not instantaneous. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, 'now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.' We must commit it to our mind. To be content without ______ I must {{learn}} to depend on the Lordship of Jesus Christ." ~ Unknown.

   It is only through Christ that contentment can come. Though it may be a difficult path to travel, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. It is a continuous lesson...weather you be  9 or 99, there will always be something that dissatisfies you. So, {{learn}} with me now the ability to be seeking the face of Christ, kneeling before Him daily and thanking Him for the blessings He has already bestowed on you. The more I {{learn}} about contentment, the realization hits that contentment stems out of a heart of gratitude. Work on praying for those difficult relationships in your life, the stressful job, the desire to be married (or single, if your in a rough marriage), or the health issues you may be facing. If you don't already have a heart of thankfulness in some of these areas, the Lord will be faithful to place a gleaming spark of peace in your heart that will work itself out in contentment towards where He sovereignly has you and with whom He has you. In most of his letters, Paul begins with saying he is thankful to God in every prayer of his for the people, or for Christ Jesus who gave Himself for our sins, even to those he was correcting. May we learn from this. A heart that is willing to thank Christ is a heart that will be more content and able to minister to others for the sake of the gospel!