God First

Although I've been saved for many years now, I didn't feel I was growing in Christ like I should.  For a long time I didn't really realize that I wasn't putting God first in my life.  I put my family before God, money, worry, stress, vacations, and the list goes on and on...  And even though I've realized these things, I still tend to do this without even thinking about  it.  No matter how hard I try, these little things will sneak back into my life before I know it.  It's a constant struggle for me so I have to stay on my tiptoes.  And the best way I know to do that is to just keep talking to God.

God wants us to put Him first.  He tells us in Exodus 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me".  Well when we think too much about other things such as money, our job, the future... any little thing can become a god for us if we're not focusing on God.  Life is so busy with jobs, housework, the kiddos...but if we'll just put God first, all of those things will fall into place.   There are so many distractions in this world, but we have to just keep asking God to help us keep our mind set on Him.

A few ways we can try to do this is by talking to God, reading His word, memorizing scripture, praising Him, and thanking Him.  I know for me, meeting with Jesus every morning helps to start my day off better.  Just knowing that the Lord is waiting to talk to me, waiting to spend time with me...that's a feeling I just can't describe.  If we want to have a close relationship with God, we have to discipline ourselves to set aside time to spend with Him.  We have to include Him in everything we do.  If you've got a decision to make, if you have a problem...don't google it, don't talk to someone else about it...talk to God.  That's what He wants you to do.  He wants to be included in your life.  He loves you more than anyone in this world.

So I'm not only challenging you, but I'm challenging myself, as well, to put God first.  Then sit back and watch your life change.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
Matthew 22:37

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

Letting Go

During this time of isolation, I've been doing a lot of soul searching.  Unfortunately Satan has been working overtime on pointing out my past failures.  While I'm trying not to listen to him, I find it hard to forgive myself for things I did or didn't do in my past, and I'm constantly reminding myself that God has forgiven me.  I've always struggled with negative thoughts and emotions, and this is something I'm always trying to work on.

One thing I'm learning is that you can't be a prisoner of your past.  You have to remember it was just one of life's lessons.  No amount of guilt or shame can change it.  You have to accept that it's over.  No matter how many times you revisit it or regret it, it is over!  It can't hurt you anymore.  You have to focus on the lesson, not the hurt - guilt - or disappointment.

I'm learning that you should never regret a day in your life.  There will be bad days, but you have to remember they give you experience.  And there will be worst days that will give you lessons.  But then there are good days that bring you happiness and better days that give you memories.

One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go.  Whether it's guilt, anger, love, loss, abuse, or betrayal - change is never easy.  But never forget how far you've come and everything you've been through.  Remember the time you kept on going even when you didn't feel like you could.  Remember how you wanted so bad just to give up, but you didn't...you made it through another day.

You have to forgive yourself.  You have to stop replaying those negative memories in your mind.  Stop thinking about what could have been.  You have to let it go...you have to move on.  Start that new chapter in your life.  And while I'm telling you this, I'm talking to myself, as well.

Just breathe...and let it go

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  
Behold I will do a new thing..."
Isaiah 43:18-19