Four Dollars

I heard a story on the radio the other day about a girl in Africa. She was pregnant, and lived in the garbage dumps. She went into labor, but did not have enough money for a taxi to the hospital. She was in labor for two days, and was in need of urgent medical care. A lady was nearby doing missions work, and went to visit a certain garbage dump that day. She came upon the pregnant girl. She paid the money for the girl to get the hospital, which saved the girl and her baby's lives. The total cost for the girl to get to the hospital was only four dollars.


I spend four dollars on a cup of coffee...

God, help us see how truly rich we are in America. Help us not take anything for granted. Help us be selfless, generous, and compassionate. All we have is yours...help us use the resources you have given us for your glory.  

Change

"I want to change, but I don't know how"

...have you ever thought this? 

I have.

Here is what God has been teaching me:

Read the word
Meditate on it daily

Joshua 1:8 ~

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.

Do what the word says
This requires action through FAITH

James 1:22 ~

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Changed Heart
Through this process, God changes your heart

Ezekiel 36:26 ~

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.

I have always struggled with being a people-pleaser. I have looked to others for approval, rather than looking to God. This mindset causes selfishness, pride, and vanity. If I live my life always trying to please people, I will end up missing what God has for me. The past year or so, I have been asking God to change my heart in this area. Through reading his word, and stepping out in faith, God has challenged me and taught me many things. The other day, I read this verse:

A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
~Romans 29:2


As I was reading this, I realized...that I don't care what people think of me nearly as much as I used to. God has, and is continuing to change my heart! 


I am so grateful that when we are obedient, God is the one to do the heart-change. 
The steps of Reading, and doing are not about trying harder. They are about surrendering to God, and allowing Him to change us. 




What area in your life is God calling you to change?


Read what the word says


Do what the word says


(surrender)


And watch God change your heart

love

"It’s gotta be
More like falling in love than something to believe in
More like losing my heart than giving my allegiance..."

 

~Jason Gray

 

Do you simply believe in God, or are you in love with God? 

 

Growing up, I had the idea that if I didn't read my bible every day, then God would be mad at me. Or if something bad happened during my day, I thought God was punishing me for not being a good enough Christian. If I sinned or messed up, I thought that God didn't want to spend time with me, or couldn't use me anymore.

I thought that God's love was conditionally based on my performance. 

This was a stressful way to live. I was constantly comparing myself to others, and not measuring up. I was reading God's word, but for the wrong reasons. I 'spent time with God' so He wouldn't get mad at me and punish me. I believed in God, but I was not in love with Him. 

God pursued me, and began to change my heart.

He showed me that His love is unconditional. He will never love me any more, or any less than He does right now. He accepts me as I am (broken), but loves me too much to leave me that way. I do not read the bible or spend time with God so that He will love me. Instead, I read the bible because He loves me. His love draws me to Him...not religious obligation.

Here is what I want you to know,

God always has and always will love you. It's not about how often you read the bible, or how 'Christian' you look on the outside...it's all about falling in love with your creator and king. He wants a relationship with you. 

 

Christopher Coleman Story

This brought tears to my eyes! Please Watch!



God creates each of us for a specific, purposeful plan. He does not make mistakes.

The greatest thing in life is when God uses us in our weakness to show the world His glory. What a privilege and joy to be able to be used by Him! 

A Date With Jesus

I just had the most wonderful afternoon.

After work, I decided that it was too nice out to be inside.

So I went to a park

It was a perfect place for a date...

with Jesus

We sat on a bench by the water,

and simply spent time together

We talked.

He listened

I listened

I love to hear Him speak

We walked together

He comforted me

We even had lunch :)

It was a perfect afternoon with my best friend

"The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
 He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength."

~Psalm 23:1-3