I am not sure about you, but for me patience is something I struggle with t r e m e n d o u s l y. Friends and family members are always telling me "Be patient Cherish, have faith!" or something to that extent. Sooo, I got to thinking...what does having a lack of patience really mean? Who does that make me as a person? When you lack patience, you start to get doubts in your mind because of over-thinking things. When you start doubting, your trust shrinks in the person you're being patient for (or at least I think so). In many situations, my impatience leads to doubting and not trusting the one "person" who I need to trust the most, God. What kind of Christian does that make me? Yes, I realize I'm human and I'm going to sin - I can't get away from that no matter how hard I try..but I should NEVER lose trust in God. Typically, when I'm being impatient about something I pray about it almost constantly. Almost to the point where it's obsessive. Usually, it gives me peace of mind knowing God is hearing my prayers and He's working at it -but at HIS speed. Sometimes it takes a little more than prayer - it takes scripture to remind me that God works for the good of those that love Him (Romans 8:28). I went ahead and looked up a few more to remind me tonight and this are a few of my favorites for the particular thing I'm being impatient about right now.
"Be still before God and wait patiently for Him...." Psalm 37:7a
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
These verses give me comfort in knowing that GOD HAS THIS! He knows what He's doing and He hears my every thought even if it's not a prayer to Him. He knows me BETTER than I know myself so why do I lose that trust sometimes when it comes patience. Silly me.
1.15.2013
9.04.2012
Availability Check
**DISCLAIMER: This is coming directly out of my devotional Bible. I did not write any of this,but I felt like it was too good not to share!
First: READ Exodus 3:1-22
THE GOOD OFTEN cannibalizes the best. Think about it: How often do schedules, long to-do lists and our immediate line of sight trump the things we claim to love the most? A pile of laundry certainly seems insignificant the day a close friend wrecks her car or a parent falls ill. Certainly, life involves responsibility, but it also involves a need for responsiveness to urgent situations - a child struggling in school or a severely depressed coworker.
Moses was tending sheep - fulfilling a needed task - when God intervened with an urgent call. A bush burned without being consumed. God called Moses' name from within the fiery bush. Moses immediately answered. Moses was available and obedient. But then God told him what he wanted: Moses was to go back to Egypt to lead a rescue mission for the Hebrew people.
In the midst of our ordinary days - tending to our families, our jobs, our friends - how do we respond to the persistent pull of God's call? Regardless of how God makes his wishes known - a burning bush, a burning desire or a burning need - are we willing to have our tidy plans and schedules interrupted to listen to his voice? Or are we too busy or too distracted to answer? Bottom line: Are we willing to be recruited at God's bidding?
Like Moses, we may feel inadequate for the job: "I'm just a student, just a mother, just an hourly employee. I'm not equipped for this mission!" However, when God calls us to do something bigger than we think we can accomplish, He will equip us by working through us. We learn to rely on His strength, not on our own abilities. Simply put, God doesn't look for abilities; He looks for availabilities. That's how we can be confident of success: His great power trumps our lack of talent. We act in the power of the great "I AM" (3:14).
So when you hear the voice of God calling your name, answer without hesitation, "Here I am."
God's call. God's strength. Your availability.
REFLECTION:
1) In what ways has God indicated He has something for you to do, and how have you responded?
2) Recount a time when you felt inadequate to do something you knew God wanted you to do. How did God equip you to accomplish it?
3) What interferes with your availability to answer God's call?
Additional Readings:
1 Samuel 3:1-10, Isaiah 6:8; 50:2, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"In a very real sense, not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do His work, to bear His glory." - Madeleine L'Engle
__________________________________________
So what do you think?
If I get enough readings of this post, I'll continue to post more devotionals from this Bible. It's seems that I always read the perfect one on the day I really need it!
Keep the faith,
Cherish
First: READ Exodus 3:1-22
THE GOOD OFTEN cannibalizes the best. Think about it: How often do schedules, long to-do lists and our immediate line of sight trump the things we claim to love the most? A pile of laundry certainly seems insignificant the day a close friend wrecks her car or a parent falls ill. Certainly, life involves responsibility, but it also involves a need for responsiveness to urgent situations - a child struggling in school or a severely depressed coworker.
Moses was tending sheep - fulfilling a needed task - when God intervened with an urgent call. A bush burned without being consumed. God called Moses' name from within the fiery bush. Moses immediately answered. Moses was available and obedient. But then God told him what he wanted: Moses was to go back to Egypt to lead a rescue mission for the Hebrew people.
In the midst of our ordinary days - tending to our families, our jobs, our friends - how do we respond to the persistent pull of God's call? Regardless of how God makes his wishes known - a burning bush, a burning desire or a burning need - are we willing to have our tidy plans and schedules interrupted to listen to his voice? Or are we too busy or too distracted to answer? Bottom line: Are we willing to be recruited at God's bidding?
Like Moses, we may feel inadequate for the job: "I'm just a student, just a mother, just an hourly employee. I'm not equipped for this mission!" However, when God calls us to do something bigger than we think we can accomplish, He will equip us by working through us. We learn to rely on His strength, not on our own abilities. Simply put, God doesn't look for abilities; He looks for availabilities. That's how we can be confident of success: His great power trumps our lack of talent. We act in the power of the great "I AM" (3:14).
So when you hear the voice of God calling your name, answer without hesitation, "Here I am."
God's call. God's strength. Your availability.
REFLECTION:
1) In what ways has God indicated He has something for you to do, and how have you responded?
2) Recount a time when you felt inadequate to do something you knew God wanted you to do. How did God equip you to accomplish it?
3) What interferes with your availability to answer God's call?
Additional Readings:
1 Samuel 3:1-10, Isaiah 6:8; 50:2, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"In a very real sense, not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do His work, to bear His glory." - Madeleine L'Engle
__________________________________________
So what do you think?
If I get enough readings of this post, I'll continue to post more devotionals from this Bible. It's seems that I always read the perfect one on the day I really need it!
Keep the faith,
Cherish
7.22.2012
Have You Seen Jesus, my Lord? ::Clarity
There are several places I like to go to get clarity and ponder about faith, God, Jesus, and well, everything. Usually they consist of outside in the country (home), church camp and even church. I think I have a new one to add to my list...the beach.
And really, it's not just anytime at the beach. Today, I was running around in the water, having a good time and not really thinking about anything.. However, we all went crab hunting tonight and we were walking along the beach, and letting the waves hit us. The high tide reminded me of God. This water, this powerful water that could take me under any minute if I lost my balance was God speaking to me. The song "Have You Seen Jesus, my Lord?" popped into my head. These lyrics specifically: "Have you ever stood at the ocean with the white foam at your feet? Felt the endless thundering motion? Then I say you've seen Jesus, my Lord." I'll admit, I've had a lot on my mind this last week. Things like changes I need to make, changes I'm going to make, where God is leading me, what He is asking me to do, why He is asking me, how I'm going to go through with it and so on... Tonight, I just got c l a r i t y from it all. I just don't understand how people can see the ocean, feel the waves and look out into the horizon and not see or feel God or even think He's real. He's everywhere! It's just so amazing to me.
Keep the faith!
~Cherish
Keep the faith!
~Cherish
6.20.2012
Love, Marriage, and a great blog.
As a 21 year old woman..no girl (woman sounds too grown up!), I often think about marriage and I might have even planned a little bit of my wedding day ( a miniscule amount) but what I see when I think about marriage is the outside of it. The exterior, if you will. I don't think about the interior of it. The hardships a married couple will have to go through as well as good times. I've always loved the idea of marriage and falling love but I think I'm just too picky ( my mom would argue and say I'm just to scared to date, hmph.). I was reading a post earlier on a blog I follow by a college minister at a church of Christ in Tulsa. The title had this word "love" in it so I was intrigued instantly. He talked about "synching" up with your spouse when you get married and the patience you have to have with them...
I'm not going to continue to talk about this blog because I don't want to down grade it any so you can read it by clicking HERE.
Let me know what you think. It's pretty good!
Keep the Faith,
Cherish
Listen To: Someone Worth Dying For by Mikeschair
Currently in love with: ....(I'll get back to you on that. Yesterday it was Kevin Durant and watermelon but he failed me last night...)
6.16.2012
Losing...
God has seriously been working on my heart lately and it all seems to be about forgiveness. I hope this doesn't sound bad to say, but I don't know of anyone in my life that I need to forgive right now. When I say this, I mean I'm good with everyone I know. I'm not holding a grudge that I can think of so I don't understand why God is still working on this in my heart. Maybe He knows I'll be needing this more than ever later on down the road...
A couple of mornings ago on my way to work, this song came on the radio, I absolutely love it!
Click HERE to listen to it.
The song is Losing by Tenth Avenue North.
This is my favorite part of the song:
Oh, Father wont You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin'
Well it's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times
Cause Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done.
This is love or this is hate...
We gotta a choice to make
Credit (Click the credit for the full lyrics).
I seriously am in LOVE with this song right now.
On a different note, I had a friend tell me that I was being too "churchy" and I need to quit being so "churchy". As he told me this, my blood starting boiling. Then I calmed myself down. I was upset that he would say something like that to me, but then after I thought about it, I realized he's probably never felt what I've felt when I've gone to church or camp. He probably doesn't understand what it's like to feel so wrapped up and high on God. I realized I need to pray for that and that it's a good mission opportunity. So, Lord please help me.
Leave me some comments. :P
Keep the Faith,
Cherish
Listen to: Losing by Tenth Avenue North (duh!)
Currently in Love with: Watermelon and Kevin Durant. ;)
A couple of mornings ago on my way to work, this song came on the radio, I absolutely love it!
Click HERE to listen to it.
The song is Losing by Tenth Avenue North.
This is my favorite part of the song:
Oh, Father wont You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cause I feel like the one losin'
Well it's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times
Cause Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done.
This is love or this is hate...
We gotta a choice to make
Credit (Click the credit for the full lyrics).
I seriously am in LOVE with this song right now.
On a different note, I had a friend tell me that I was being too "churchy" and I need to quit being so "churchy". As he told me this, my blood starting boiling. Then I calmed myself down. I was upset that he would say something like that to me, but then after I thought about it, I realized he's probably never felt what I've felt when I've gone to church or camp. He probably doesn't understand what it's like to feel so wrapped up and high on God. I realized I need to pray for that and that it's a good mission opportunity. So, Lord please help me.
Leave me some comments. :P
Keep the Faith,
Cherish
Listen to: Losing by Tenth Avenue North (duh!)
Currently in Love with: Watermelon and Kevin Durant. ;)
6.11.2012
Forgiveness? I got this!
***DISCLAIMER: This blog has been and will be used to post my thoughts, questions, and concerns during my Christian walk. If at any time you disagree, have a question or simply would like to add to the blog, please leave a comment down below. Thank you!
This past week at Lu-Jo one of the main topics were forgiveness and forgiving others. I think that is something that I struggle with the most. Forgiving someone. I'll say I forgive someone, but reality is, I usually still have that anger built up inside me and I build it up until I'm ready to explode and then it's all a mess from there.
Lately, I've been with-holding forgiveness from someone who I didn't think deserved it. It made me nothing but angry inside and I started to become vengeful. Luckily, God & Lu-Jo stepped in just in time to show me that there was no reason to with-hold this forgiveness. I needed to FORGIVE & FORGET. It wasn't worth the emotional pain it was still causing me. This situation could be fixed and everyone else was trying to fix it but me. I guess you could say, I didn't want it to be fixed. I wanted to carry that anger, that burden and continue the stress. Why in the world would I want to do that and walk around miserable all the time pretending everything was okay? I still have no idea.
The whole reason for the need of this forgiveness wasn't worth it for me. I deserve(d) something better. Finally, after much prayer, anticipation, and soul searching, I have FINALLY forgave this person. Life is better because of it. I'm not holding a grudge anymore. I feel free and happy and ready to take on whatever is thrown my way, because this situation just doesn't matter anymore. It DOESN'T define me or my future. God had no part of the situation planned out in my future. Who am I to plan my future anyway? God's already got this!
Now? On to bigger and better things! My GOD is BIGGER than my problems! My GOD is BIGGER than my fears! My GOD is BIG enough to handle anything that is thrown my way!
How big are you letting your GOD be in your life?
Keep the faith,
Cherish
This past week at Lu-Jo one of the main topics were forgiveness and forgiving others. I think that is something that I struggle with the most. Forgiving someone. I'll say I forgive someone, but reality is, I usually still have that anger built up inside me and I build it up until I'm ready to explode and then it's all a mess from there.
Lately, I've been with-holding forgiveness from someone who I didn't think deserved it. It made me nothing but angry inside and I started to become vengeful. Luckily, God & Lu-Jo stepped in just in time to show me that there was no reason to with-hold this forgiveness. I needed to FORGIVE & FORGET. It wasn't worth the emotional pain it was still causing me. This situation could be fixed and everyone else was trying to fix it but me. I guess you could say, I didn't want it to be fixed. I wanted to carry that anger, that burden and continue the stress. Why in the world would I want to do that and walk around miserable all the time pretending everything was okay? I still have no idea.
The whole reason for the need of this forgiveness wasn't worth it for me. I deserve(d) something better. Finally, after much prayer, anticipation, and soul searching, I have FINALLY forgave this person. Life is better because of it. I'm not holding a grudge anymore. I feel free and happy and ready to take on whatever is thrown my way, because this situation just doesn't matter anymore. It DOESN'T define me or my future. God had no part of the situation planned out in my future. Who am I to plan my future anyway? God's already got this!
Now? On to bigger and better things! My GOD is BIGGER than my problems! My GOD is BIGGER than my fears! My GOD is BIG enough to handle anything that is thrown my way!
How big are you letting your GOD be in your life?
Keep the faith,
Cherish
6.10.2012
So much to say...
It's been a good while since I blogged.
I just got back from a week of church camp out at Camp Lu-Jo. It was life changing, exhilarating, and everything I needed. During the week so many topics to blog about popped into my mind but I didn't write them down so I can't remember everything. I'm going to try to remember everything so this blog might be a little bit of a rambler. Sorry, in advance.
1.) I learned so much this past week. I honestly didn't expect to take much away because I'm not a camper. But boy, I could not have been more wrong! God seriously "messed" with me this past week in ways I didn't think possible. I'm so excited to see what He has in store me.
2.) We may not realize it, but we "plant seeds" in everything we do. These seeds can be good or bad. Either way, we are going to reap what we sow. So, why not "plant seeds" that are good? Invite a friend to church or simply smile at someone. I heard so many stories this past week about seeds that were planted and how they completely turned someone's life around. I want to do that for someone. I WANT to help someone turn their life around. I already have a few seeds I'm ready to plant and I can't wait to see how they turn out.
3.) Where there is struggle, there is life. There is always going to be some sort of struggle going on in our lives. Whether is be something little like a money situation and your bank account is overdrawn $10 or something big like you lost someone who meant a lot to you. God doesn't promise that there will not be struggles in our lives, but He does promise to get you through them. We have to remember that we are not alone in our struggles and someone out there is or has gone through he same thing.
4.) Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Enough said.)
5.) Sow a thought ~ reap an action. Sow an action ~ reap a habit. Sow a habit ~ reap a character. Sow character ~ reap a destiny. (What do you think about this?)
6.) Sin separates us from God! Sin is an everyday struggle for every single person on this planet. No one is perfect.
7.) Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (A girl mentioned this verse in one our devos. I've heard it before but I fell in love with it all over again.)
8.) I jotted down this thought during quiet time in one of our class sessions. I'm not really sure if it makes much sense but I liked it at the time. (Lord, make me weak for You!)
That's all I have for now. Questions? Comments? Leave them down below!
Keep the Faith,
Cherish
I just got back from a week of church camp out at Camp Lu-Jo. It was life changing, exhilarating, and everything I needed. During the week so many topics to blog about popped into my mind but I didn't write them down so I can't remember everything. I'm going to try to remember everything so this blog might be a little bit of a rambler. Sorry, in advance.
1.) I learned so much this past week. I honestly didn't expect to take much away because I'm not a camper. But boy, I could not have been more wrong! God seriously "messed" with me this past week in ways I didn't think possible. I'm so excited to see what He has in store me.
2.) We may not realize it, but we "plant seeds" in everything we do. These seeds can be good or bad. Either way, we are going to reap what we sow. So, why not "plant seeds" that are good? Invite a friend to church or simply smile at someone. I heard so many stories this past week about seeds that were planted and how they completely turned someone's life around. I want to do that for someone. I WANT to help someone turn their life around. I already have a few seeds I'm ready to plant and I can't wait to see how they turn out.
3.) Where there is struggle, there is life. There is always going to be some sort of struggle going on in our lives. Whether is be something little like a money situation and your bank account is overdrawn $10 or something big like you lost someone who meant a lot to you. God doesn't promise that there will not be struggles in our lives, but He does promise to get you through them. We have to remember that we are not alone in our struggles and someone out there is or has gone through he same thing.
4.) Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Enough said.)
5.) Sow a thought ~ reap an action. Sow an action ~ reap a habit. Sow a habit ~ reap a character. Sow character ~ reap a destiny. (What do you think about this?)
6.) Sin separates us from God! Sin is an everyday struggle for every single person on this planet. No one is perfect.
7.) Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (A girl mentioned this verse in one our devos. I've heard it before but I fell in love with it all over again.)
8.) I jotted down this thought during quiet time in one of our class sessions. I'm not really sure if it makes much sense but I liked it at the time. (Lord, make me weak for You!)
That's all I have for now. Questions? Comments? Leave them down below!
Keep the Faith,
Cherish
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