"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

I used to think nothing bad would happen to people who truly followed the Lord. In my own life, I've seen this isn't the case.
"God will never give you more than you can handle" but what we can handle is different for each person. Also, each person has their own struggles, temptations and "weak areas". Look at 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, mainly verses 7-10 "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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". Paul looked beyond what was happening to him, and saw what could happen through those circumstances. We each have our own things we are dealing with, but we need to look beyond them...to see if it is "working for the good of those who love the Lord and have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

We all also have our own decisions we have made and our own consequences that follow.
The thing about God not giving us anything we can't handle is that sometimes the things that are hard, aren't from Him. What we may think is from God might be what we want, and we put a "from God" sticker on it. Then we avoid discussions about using God's Word to test what we think He says. We get easily offended when we are questioned by others. And we pull away from people God would use to correct us. We don't want to give it up. We become comfortable in our decision. And after avoiding God's Word, avoiding people and walking on egg-shells, we silence the Holy Spirit and get comfortable in our ways.

I know about thinking something is from God, when really it was just me assuming it was.
I met someone and let myself get carried away into a relationship because I thought (told myself) it was God's plan. In the end, the thorn in my flesh was a broken heart by my own choice. God let it happen. But He didn't break my heart...and He didn't force me to stop what I was doing. I chose. And after my consequences, He was there to catch me. He didn't remove my thorn, or the memory of what had happened, but He gave me strength to make it through. He strengthened me to move forward. He helped me learn from it. To get something good out of it. He gave beauty to my mess.

I questioned God in my pain. I didn't understand why He let me get hurt, until I realized He may have brought the person in my life, but I let me impatience lead me. I assumed it was from the Lord without testing it to His Word and waiting for an answer. I told myself "it must be right" and went on praying "God have your way", when I wanted my own way.

I can tell you about being selfish, impatient and about waiting. But I'm not done with it yet. I'm not married and I don't know who my husband is yet. But I do know that rushing seems to have a track record of not working out well. We get stronger through our pain, but that doesn't mean we should walk into the fire. We should use God's Word before we make choices. We should seek His strength before we are in need of it. Paul talks about grace increasing where sin increases...but because of our sinful nature, some people may think it means you can do whatever you want. "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2) Learn your lesson...and turn away from things that will harm you. If your friend rushed into a relationship and got her heart broken, don't rush into a relationship. If your Dad says boys only have "one thing" on their mind, don't be with them alone. "Preserve sound judgement and discernment" (Proverbs 3:21) "Better a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to use discernment" (Ecclesiastes 4:13) "lean not on your own understanding; but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:5-7)

God will be clear about things. He won't tell us anything without giving us a way to test what He says with The Word. This is why He is so reliable. If you don't have scripture, pray for it and wait until He provides it. Don't assume what God wants and don't assume what you hear is God until He gives you a way to test what He says. He knows humans, He knows saying "he said this" without anything to back it up or defend it, isn't going to hold in conversation. So pray for Him to show you. Get in His Word.

"When [satan] lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). Study God's Word, become fluent in truth so that you may know what is not from God. And when God speaks to you, if you know His Word more, you will know it is Him sooner :) and be able to tel the devil to shut up when He tries to act like God.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). We go through temptation...but God will give us a way out...we just have to take it. Don't wait until it's too late to wait for the Lord.

Focus on the walk (Part Two)

What is "the walk"?

This could be different for some Christians, in that we all have different gifts.
I'd like to focus more on the walk that God calls all His children to.
A walk of faith.

Once you realise that you aren't perfect and you open up your heart to share your struggles and ask for prayer, you also open up your heart to God's plan for you and for Him to be able to work. We have all come to a place where we realised we were dying spiritually, and that we needed a Savior. We all said the prayer in some way, Admitting we were sinners and repented...Believed in Jesus as our Lord and Savior...then Told everyone about it :)

So what now?

How has your life really changed since that moment?

Are you still as excited and humbled as you were when you first met Him?

Do the decisions you make now, and what takes up your time, reflect that commitment you made years ago?

The Bible says that those who don't have the Holy Spirit won't be able to fully understand it. But I wonder how many Christians read it as much as they preach it. When we become Believers we still need Jesus everyday. He isn't like a defibrillator, where we would only need Him when we are dying and then never need Him again. He is more like a vitamin, we have to take Him everyday to keep ourselves healthy. Sure if you don't take Him, you won't die...but you would be able to live a whole lot better if you took Him everyday. :)

God isn't a glamorous God. He doesn't require yelling, and He doesn't always want "live-changing experiences". He's an intimate God. He wants your heart, because from your heart everything flows. I could scream in worship, sing a beautiful song, even give an amazing talk or pray the "perfect prayer" (no such thing)...but if my heart doesn't say the same thing...it means nothing to God. He doesn't require us to do big things, or go where no man has gone before...He only requires that we follow Him...and walk as He sets the path for us. He called some people to go to Hungry to witness, and called some people to go to South Dakota...but He is also calling people to reach their neighbors...to work in the church nursery. It isn't about the glamour. If you want all the attention, and the glamorous trips...I'm sorry...that was your old life...when you were gratifying your desires for more. Being a follower in Jesus Christ is not about that...it is about serving God, even when you get none of the credit. When being in ministry wears you out and He gives you just enough strength for the day.

God doesn't call everyone to the hard stuff, He doesn't call everyone to the easy things.
But when you accepted Christ, wasn't it about Him? Where He wanted you? What He wanted to do through you? Do you love Him, or your riches and glory?

How many people have sung the song "I will follow"...."where You go, I'll go, where You stay, I'll stay..."? Yet, when some people turn 18, they follow their anger to leave their parents house, and wouldn't even try to go through the hard stuff to stay. Or, someone who doesn't want to loose their boyfriend or girlfriend, so instead of leaving to go home, they stay and sleep over.

If God lead you to something you didn't want to do...something that was hard and didn't look like you would get any firework display for doing it...would you do it?

The Christian walk is not about being without sin. It is about follow Jesus Christ, into deep waters, into dark canyons or even out of a relationship. It may hurt, you may be scared. But will you still follow?

We made a choice to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We gave our lives to Him. Are you still making that choice? Are you choosing God with every decision? Are you choosing God's way rather than sleeping with your boyfriend or girlfriend? Are you choosing God's way rather than your anger? Are you choosing God's way rather than what would bring you more money? Are you choosing God's way rather than what is easy?

We live in a sinful world, most of the time choosing God's way will be hard. Not because He wants it to be hard, but just the fact of what we are surrounded by. Sin is in the world...and because God is righteous...He isn't going to do all the work for us. Many people ask why God lets certain things happen. Well, He doesn't...it is a result of man's choice. Man's choice not to choose God. And it gets passed down generation to generation.

But even through all the chaos, He will still work. He may not make things go away...but He will lead you through it.

The glass has always been half full...you were just focusing on what was missing and not on what you had. Sin isn't the focus...Jesus is.

God has a plan for you...choose it.

Scripture: Psalm 32:8-11, Psalm 139, Proverbs 3:3-10, Proverbs 4:11-13,25-27, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Galatians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 11:2-3, James 1:2-18, 1 Peter 3:15-16, John 14:15,23, John 4:13-14, Matthew 15:18-19, Matthew 7:13-14

Moving...or waiting?

First Kiss Girl here, and I'd like to share a regular life lesson everyone faces at least once, if not multiple times! Waiting on the Lord.

Things change in our lives, often it seems when we just get used to the consistency. This isn't due to God's humor, but its His Will; which we will never know fully. It is a part of life for doors to close and others to open-or maybe just a window. But before the next door opens, what do we do? Do we wait around, (as Paul would say...) by no means! We WATCH and wait, we seek and wait, we seek possibilities and wait.

This is SO easy to say, but with every different experience, that isn't all there is. With each unique waiting experience, its more complicated.

I'm still praying about where God wants me this Fall. My passion for youth and purity is strong again, but I'm also struggling with fear. I tend to not jump on big things because of my fear of failure, and not being good enough. This fear, I know, is the enemy trying to stop me! I'm also praying about overcoming this.
I have found things to do, such as: I assist at another youth group, I'm catching up on some reading, and I'm helping my Mom. But thinking about the things I need money for, hangs over my head almost everyday.

When I think about how I could make money, the only things I want to do are things that will help equip me for my husband and home. My dream job would be to work at a church under leadership I trust. But that isn't logical right now.
A part of me feels that this road block is because of my sin of laziness and fear and that until I change I might never get a clear answer...weather this is true that God would wait until I change or not...this makes me a little stressed.

Then I think about just doing SOMETHING no matter how big or small that would bring God glory. Sounds great! But where?
(this is an example of the thoughts I have...you are currently in Mandy's mind!)

So find just a job...or wait for God to make it clear?

I want nothing more than to be in youth ministry more, but (yes, another "but" lol) that doesn't pay for gas or outings.

There is so much ruining through my mind ALL DAY about what I should be doing and if I'm being the best I can. Then verses like Psalm 46:10 come to my mind

"Be still, and know that I am God"

And, Jeremiah 32:27

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

And, Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord 'plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

God is able!
He can put me where He wants me even with my fear.
He HAS already blessed me that I live with my parents and my Dad is able to still take care of me financially.
I have already learned so much, and I have more to learn.
I will TRUST...but
I will also OBEY...(Matthew 6:25, 34)

My prayer is to be a PROVERBS 31 woman. And truly have DILIGENT HANDS (Proverbs 10:4).

Please intercede for me if God calls you too. Thank you!

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