our God is Healer

Our God is a God who heals. The Lord "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). Christ healed many when He walked on earth, and He continues to heal us today. The one thing He asks us in return is to simply trust Him. We must trust the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind. And thank Him. Constantly thank the Lord for every little or big thing in your life. Even something as small as sunshine or your bed. The Lord wants us to always have a thankful mindset. This will allow us to see Him more in our daily lives. As long as we trust Him, He will provide and He will heal. The Lord makes all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). His timing is different than ours. It may be years or it may be days before we see complete restoration and healing. But He will heal us. He will heal your friend who's hurting. He will heal you. Whether its emotionally, physically or mentally, the Lord can and will heal. We just have to trust Him and know that everything works out the way He believes is best for us. So find comfort and joy in the fact that our God is a God who loves us enough to heal us from all of our suffering and trials. We can cling to Him in the midst of it all. His presence will be with you and give you rest. Relax and place your trust in Jesus and watch to see what He does.

"So we do not look at the troubles we have right now, but rather we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. -2 Corinthians 4:18
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:18
"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28

The Lord's Peace

The Lord wants us to find peace in Him. Sure you've heard the word peace plenty of times. But peace from the Lord is something different. It's something special. Philippians 4:7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God's peace transcends all understanding. This means it surpasses ALL understanding. The peace of God is something powerful. It's not a worldly peace. Our world sees peace as soothing music, a quiet beach, or maybe just rest. Now I'm not saying these things aren't peaceful. What I'm trying to say is that this is worldly peace that only lasts a while. This peace is simply what we make it. But the peace of the Lord is not of the world. God's peace is from His Word. God's peace is found in Christ alone. It's a peace that lasts. A peace that will "guard our hearts and our minds". John 14:27 says this, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful." The world's peace doesn't compare to the peace found in Christ. Colossians 3:15 says, "And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful." We are called to live in His peace and let this peace control our hearts. And be thankful. Be thankful for the gift of peace through Christ, which is so powerful yet so comforting. Always be thankful. 

His creation

Flying home from Colorado this summer, I was SO amazed at the Lord's creation. We always overlook the mountains and gorgeous sunsets or sunrises. Outside the plane window the mountains were so gorgeous and there was the perfect amount of fluffy clouds. At one point clouds just covered the entire sky. I was listening to Safe by Phil Wickham. It says "These are the hands that built the mountains, the hands that calm the seas. These are the arms that hold the heavens, they are holding you and me." What I realized was that the hands that created these mountains, formed these clouds, and painted this sky are the same hands that created ME! These hands knit me together and formed my being. These hands hold my heart and heal my wounds. These hands are wrapped around me when I'm broken and they reach out to me when I cry for help. These hands are God's hands. The God who loves me unconditionally and never leaves my side! Enjoy the pictures!

an amazing promise

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."              -John 15:7
This is an incredible promise given to us by the Lord. He promises to answer our prayers on one condition. We must remain in Him and keep His words in us. This means keeping Him before all else and setting our mind above (Colossians 3:2). It means hiding His word in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). We are called to constantly think about Him/His Word and live our lives reflecting His love in all we do. If you live like this then "it will be done for you".

Love

1 John 4:16 says that "God is love."

If God is Love then we can say this about 1 Corinthians 13:4-7...

"[God] is patient, [God] is kind. [He] does not envy, [He] does not boast, [He] is not proud. [He] does not dishonor others, [He] is not self-seeking, [He] is not easily angered, [He] keeps no record of wrongs. [God] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [He] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

1 Peter 4:8 says "[God] covers a multitude of sins."

1 Corinthians 13:13 says "Faith, hope and love remain. But the greatest of these is love." I think it's no coincidence that the greatest is love. If "God is love" then love ought to be the greatest. Love is a word so commonly used but there is so much power in love. Love comes from God. And we know this because God showed His love by sending His ONLY son to die for us. That's crazy love. God is love and those who claim to know God must walk in this love! Love God and love others! This is what we are called to do as His people.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:30-31

The Narrow Path

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." -Matthew 7:13-14

Choose the narrow path that leads to life. Living a life for the Lord is not supposed to be easy. We are actually expected to suffer for our faith. (1 Peter 4:12-19) No it won't be easy but it WILL be worth it. He has promised that. Romans 8:18 says "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." What we go through now for His sake will be 100% worth it in the end when we reach our real home in heaven. So be encouraged by this and choose the narrow path to life even if you face insults, judgement, persecutions etc. It will be worth it when we are in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Find comfort in that when you suffer for Christ. 

He's In Control

Have you ever thought about how powerful and mighty our Lord is? This world and everything in it is His (Psalm 24:1). He is completely in control of each of our lives regardless of what happens. Have you ever thought about the fact that the same God who made this world and everything in it is the same God who calls you by your name and knows you intimately! Our God is so much greater than anything on earth. Through His power and strength He still loves us and cares for us with a love that doesn't compare to any of our relationships. His love is incredible and it will never fail. 


I often think about how different our world would be like if EVERY person prayed and worshipped Christ. How incredibly different would our world be? I ask this to encourage myself to pray more. This reminds me of the song by Casting Crowns, "What If His People Prayed". This song talks about how different everything would be if "those who bear His name would humbly seek His face and turn from their own way". Prayer is SO powerful and truly does have the power to change things, because like I said, He is in complete control of each of our lives and everything that goes on in this world. Here are a couple verses highlighting His power and control. 
"I form the light and create darkness,  I bring prosperity and create disaster;  I, the Lord, do all these things." -Isaiah 45:7
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." -Proverbs 19:21
ALL of Job 38-39 shows how in control He is when the Lord speaks to Job out of a storm. 


My point in saying all of this is to encourage others to pray constantly (1 Thess. 5:17) and challenge you to put all of your trust in Jesus, the author of our lives and controller of our universe because He IS the source of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9). 

Set your mind above.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." 
-Colossians 3:2


We came into this world with nothing and that is how we'll leave it. The world's way of earning riches is grasping and hoarding. You attain God's riches by letting go and giving. Things of this world will fail you because these things will come and go. But God's riches will never fail you. His love never fails. Ever. He loves each one of us with a love that no one can measure or compare with. Live a life that shows this. Set your mind on things above because they will never change. Things of this world will leave you empty but God's gifts are constant and eternal. The joy and excitement of salvation far outweighs any excitement of a worldly event (concert, party, etc.) Salvation is an eternal relationship with the Lord.  Now I'm not saying don't go to concerts or parties. All I'm stating is that if you do start to spend more time on godly things that aren't of this world, then you will feel so much excitement and this excitement will not compare to anything of this world. It's an excitement from the Holy Spirit. Set your mind above. 
Here is a list of ways I want to live for the Lord and set my mind above. 


1. Give freely and openly
2. Love those who hate you and won't love you back
3. Don't be consumed with your safety & comfort
4. Live a life that connects you with the poor
5. Seek to make yourself less known, and Christ more known
6. Do not consider service a burden
7. Be known as a giver
8. Think about heaven frequently
9. Don't act better for God, just be real with Him
10. Forgive others even when it seems impossible

He Died For Us

Romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 


This is a perfect picture of true love. John 15:13 says "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Christ laid down his life for us so that we could have eternal life with Him and a relationship with the Father. He died while we were SINNERS. To me, this means that we can't earn our salvation. It's a free gift from God through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Luke 23 outlines the trial and crucifixion of Christ. In verse 25, Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified and releases Barabbas (who had been in prison for rebellion and murder) Jesus took Barabbas' place. This is a perfect picture of Christ demonstrating His love. We are the "Barabbas". While we were still sinners, Christ took our place on the cross and died for us.


Luke 23:26-43 outlines the crucifixion of Christ. In verse 34 Jesus says, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." Through all of His pain and suffering, Christ prays for those beside him. This again shows His love for us. He is constantly forgiving us. In verse 42, one of the criminals beside him says, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" Jesus replies, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise." I love verse 43 because it truly shows God's grace. He is so graceful and this grace is how we are saved. "It is by grace we have been saved, through faith- and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8-9) 


Christ died for us while we were sinners. We are saved by grace through faith, nothing of our own. Share this good news.

Live for Him

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?


We're called to bear the name of Christ. Imagine if every single person who called themselves a Christian lived out the Gospel and helped those in need. Our world would be incredibly different. As Christians and followers of Christ we should offer our lives to the Lord, doing everything for Him (Col. 3:23), seeking Him above all else and living out the Word. Let people know that you're a Christian. Don't be ashamed of the Gospel because it has power! The power to SAVE people, to save everyone! (Rom. 1:16) Live your life for the Lord because we do only live one time on this earth. That means we only have one chance to spread the good news. No matter how long you live, you can make a difference in someone's life by showing them the Lord. And don't be afraid because the Lord goes with you and gives you strength and courage! (Josh. 1:9) Live so that everyone you come in contact with can see the Lord living in you. 
"Those who look to Him are radiant with joy" (Psalm 34:5) 
Live for Him.

Only He knows your heart.

1 Samuel 16:7-- "Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart."
This is true for all of us. We look at the outside and what people say or do. The Lord does not. He "looks at the heart". The Lord ultimately knows our hearts and where we stand in our faith regardless of what we say or do. He knows us so intimately, every detail of our life (Psalm 139). So don't be down on yourself when you fail. Because we WILL fail and mess up but even then, the Lord knows our hearts true desires and stands ready to forgive us. Only the Lord truly knows your heart.

When they see me, do they see You?

Sometimes I think

What will people say of me

When I'm only just a memory

When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love

When no one else would show up

Was I Jesus to the least of those

Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that

Am I proof

That You are who you say You are

That grace can really change a heart

Do I live like Your love is true

People pass

And even if they don't know my name 

Is there evidence that I've been changed 

When they see me, do they see You