Emptiness No More

So much has happened in these last couple months it's hard to write it all down.

To sum it all up, God knows what I need more than I know myself. His timing is exactly right and that's never been more clear.
I am so thankful that I am a child of God. Looking back at my life and how I tried to live my life without Him, it's hard to imagine why I tried so hard. I am not a strong person at all and so, in my weakness God's strength and His strength Alone rescued me. He has shown me so much more love and mercy than anyone else has ever even tried to show me. He is so wonderful and makes me exceedingly joyful!

Because of all that He has done for me, I want to encourage you to continue seeking Him. I know it can be hard and sometimes it seems like He's forgotten you. I assure you, if you feel far from Him, He's not the one that walked away. He never leaves you. He is with you always, remember that. When you are down in the dumps thinking He has left you to fend for yourself that is the enemy lying to you. God's promises are true. Satan is the father of lies. Do not listen to his lies. Read your Bible and you will learn that God never lies. He is Perfect and tells the truth, always. He is worthy of your trust when no one else is.

It's not too late to make a choice to turn your back on the world and all the lies the devil tells you and follow Christ. Stop trying to "find your own path" or trying to do things by your own strength because we are humans, we are weak and we fail. Why not let God take the lead? Be patient and trust God because He keeps His promises and He is in control. Life will be far better than what you are living now.

Take it from someone who tried for years to fill the empty places in my heart with nearly anything I could hold on to. From fitness to alcohol to marijuana, to unhealthy relationships with men, to money, to clothing, ah the list goes on. My mindset was what our culture tells us. I read the magazines about how to be "beautiful" or how to get the "hottest" guy, etc. etc. (The majority of models in magazines are so photo shopped that they don't even look like their true selves anyway so how can we EVER look like that....we can't). I wanted so badly to look like those women, I would go on crash diets, try to stick to ridiculous exercise routines, put all kinds of odd substances on my face to rid of blemishes, etc. The truth is that we can't look like those women and we shouldn't strive to do so. God made us just as we are for a purpose and when we become jealous of the physical appearance of another person...well frankly, it's a sin. It's unhealthy for us to envy someone, that's why God says it is a sin to do so. It's not healthy for us and we just end up miserable, especially in this scenario because we will never look like the women in magazines.

OK sorry for the rant, my point is that I have been that woman and I was left empty, lonely, depressed, and broken.

God rescued me and wants to do the same for you. Let it go. Whatever you're holding on to. Whatever you are trusting more than Him. Whether it's health, wealth, relationship, power, sex...whatever it is.

Let. it. go.
Give it to God and He will, in turn, give you peace, joy, love, and so much more.
I heard a pastor recently explain the way God shows us mercy and I really liked his method.

He said something like this: "We say to God, 'God, I'll give you anxiety, anger, hate, confusion, etc.'
"In return God says, "OK, I will give you, peace, joy, love, hope." 
Meaning, we have nothing "good" to offer God but He's not looking for perfection, He's looking for the broken people and He wants to give them peace and joy.

^{Luke 5:30-32 -}

 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

I don't know about you but life is a whole lot more peaceful and joyful knowing that there is nothing I can or cannot do that makes God turn away from me. There is also nothing I can do that makes Him more pleased with me. I can simply give Him all the hurt and brokenness in my life and He in exchange gives me love, joy, peace, oh and also, eternal life.

God is good. God is always good.

"I will love you for you, I will give you the love, the love that you never knew."

-Brit

All for Love.

Don't you ever think that you're not loved. Jesus gave His life to show you how much He Loves you!

"What would I have done
If it wasn't for Your love
The love that tore the veil inside my heart
What would I have become
If it wasn't for Your blood
The blood You gave for all on the cross"

Reflect on the deep love that the Savior of the universe, the King of the World, the One that created you, the One that made the world and holds your heart in His hands...reflect on that deep deep love that He has for you today and always.

Happy Loved by Jesus Day.
(PS. He loves you everyday)

-Brit

Forever mine.

There is so much on my heart....
It sometimes seems that the closer we get to God, the harder satan tries to destroy everything.
While talking to God earlier today He made me realize the importance of something. I really want to write about it now but it's not time yet. SO until the timing is right here are lyrics to a wonderful and lovely song by Brandon Heath.
_______________________________________________

No not one

No better word than from Your lips
No perfect life than what You lived
No greater gift, no not one

No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one

No one has ever known
This kind of love You've shown

There has never been a greater love
Than Your Son
No not one
And there will never be a greater love
No not one
With His life You have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No not one

No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match Your name
No greater fame
No not one

No one has ever seen
The depth of Your majesty

No greater call
You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love
You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life
You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love
Forever mine.
-Brandon Heath

I find this song so beautiful. When I sit and reflect on the love my Heavenly Father has for me I just can't help but smile and feel nothing but peace. It is so fulfilling to just sit and let Him love me. I hope and pray you have that same peace. If not, you can and God wants you to have such peace. He loves you so much. So, so much.

-Brit

The best Valentine's Day gift, ever.

Ohhh love is in the air!

As if we all didn't already know, Valentine's Day is coming up swiftly.
First of all, where did January go and now we're nearly half way through February. But you know what that means?? Spring is coming! Weee!
God has been so amazing, like usual, but really, He's been so great!
I know I haven't been posting quite as much but it's mostly just because God has expanded my social life by approximately, hmm...99%.
Since the Washington DC trip I have been spending a lot of time doing various things with my new, wonderful friends! It's incredible to me how God works. He truly is so mysterious and life with Him is so great!

But down to the deeper purpose of this post.
I know this time of year can be super difficult for many people. Most people without someone special to spend the ole V-day with call it singles awareness day. Which is funny to me because most single people are well aware they are single nearly every day anyway.
I wish I knew what to say to make you not feel so negative about Valentine's Day but I understand that it's really hard. Stores are covered with red and pink hearts and those creepy looking cupids, roses and candy are being purchased, or maybe even an engagement ring for that special lady. Yes, indeed, it can be difficult to be single this time of year.

Did you know the best love story ever written is the one about how God sent His only Son to die for us because He loved us so much? Now really, think about this, there is no love like the Love of our Heavenly Father.

These earthly romances can be lovely, beautiful, wonderful, and full of joy but they don't compare to the love that Jesus has for us. They don't even come close. Can you begin to fathom that? I can't.
I know plenty of super happy couples in amazing relationships or marriages but even they don't compare to how much love the Father has for us.
When I sit and ponder this...well it's nearly impossible for me to put into words how much joy fills my being. I just feel like I'm floating on air, a huge smile across my face and tears of joy well in my eyes.
I am complete, completely loved in a way I've never experienced before.

God loves us. He chose to prove that love by sending Jesus Christ, His Son, to walk the earth in order to die so that we may accept His love and...just let Him love us. He loves you, He wants so much for you to just accept His love. He is the best 'Valentine' you will ever have. He is reaching out His hand to you and waits for you to accept His love which is so freely given. It is a gift. The best Valentine's Day gift you'll ever receive. Incomprehensibly better than flowers and chocolates or even an engagement ring. 

Won't you give Him your heart, won't you be His 'valentine'?

                                   


   "We were freed and made alive the day that True Love died."



-Brit

BE the church!

How often has someone been talking to you and though it looks like you're listening and you're trying to listen and comprehend what they are saying, you forget everything he/she told you a few minutes later?
It happens to me pretty often. Usually I'm distracted by something or I'm just tired. Either way, I know it can be frustrating to the person who was trying to communicate with you, especially if they were telling you something really important.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that we do this with God pretty often. We may attend church every Sunday morning, but are we actually applying what the Bible teaches to our lives?

On Thursday evening I was at a small group with dear sisters in Christ and we watched a sermon from Andy Stanley. He was teaching about the importance of actually applying what Jesus taught to our daily lives. For instance, in Matthew chapters 5-7 Jesus is teaching on a mountainside. The famous Sermon on the Mount.


I encourage you to read all of Matthew chapters 5-7 and you can do so, here. (opens in new window) You can easily choose whatever translation you would like but it opens up to the New International Version.

Everything He taught is very applicable and essential if we are true Christ followers.
I am just going to discuss Matthew 5:13-16 a little bit.

Matthew 5:13-16-
Salt and Light
 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Emphasis added)

If we are followers of Christ, we are to be a light in this dark world. We are called to shine the Light of Christ so that people who do not know the Lord will be drawn to Him because they can't find their way in this life otherwise.
When we are living in sin, darkness covers us and we become blind. We cannot find our way in this dark world. We cannot find our way without Christ.
Again I say, we are called to shine His light and draw people to Him by living in a different way. In a way opposite of the world. Shining so brightly that the darkness has to flee!

The same goes for being the salt of the earth.

I think of this in two different ways -

The right amount of salt enhances the flavor of any particular dish. Therefore, as followers of Christ we are to add just the right amount of 'salt' of Jesus to our every conversation as well as in all of our actions. Everything we do should reflect who Christ is. If we aren't applying Jesus' teachings to our lives, how can we look like Him or live like He did?

Adding a lot of salt does a couple different things depending on the situation. It could either turn someone away, say, if we are being too forceful or trying too hard to get someone to repent and desire Jesus. (Only God can soften harden hearts)
OR it could evoke thirst.
Think, most movie theater popcorn. It is so doused with salt that if you don't also buy a drink to quench that thirst your lips will crack and burn and your mouth will dry up! (surely a tactic to make more money I wouldn't doubt!)
Anyway, if we douse certain conversations or certain actions with a lot of salt and God has prepared someone's heart, they will thirst for more. They will want to hear more and learn more about our Heavenly Father.

I believe we need to be prayerful in every situation and be careful about what we say to whom. However, as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, we are to live as He did. If we don't put it in to practice we may as well never attend church.

As my pastor, Pastor Woodly at Redeeming Love Fellowship quoted - "Being inside a garage doesn't make you a car and being inside a church building doesn't make you a Christ follower."
Meaning, if you only attend a church service once a week and check "God time" off your list of 'to-dos' but then the rest of the week live as though God doesn't exist, there is no benefit to you or anyone else including God. God wants your whole heart surrendered to Him. He doesn't want just your attendance to a church service. He wants your heart!

 Matthew 7:24-27-
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Emphasis added)

Be sure that you are making a true effort to listen, truly hear, and put into practice what the Bible teaches. Don't just show up and fall asleep, it does you no good.
Pray for the desire to know God and live like He wants you to. To live in the way Jesus taught us.
When we finally surrender to Him and truly live like He did you will see amazing things happen!

"Don't just go to church, BE the church!"

"Walking through the halls of a desperate place, I see it on the faces. All the mothers all the fathers searching for some faith......The more it hurts the more I need of You. The more I search the more I see of You. I don’t have to know how, or see You turn this around to believe in You, to believe in You now."

-Brit