Keep your promises.

What a long Winter it has been, don't you think?

Though this is true I've found in amazing that for the most part my attitude toward is has been positive. I'm extremely thankful that God showed me a new Winter sport that I didn't know I loved! It's been so peaceful to Nordic ski nearly everyday and see the beauty God has created even during the Winter season.
In the past I hated Winter! I just wanted to hibernate for the whole dreaded season. However, while this Winter has been cold, snowy, and long, I've actually enjoyed it a lot.
I will admit though, I look forward to the warm sun and the smell of fresh cut grass.

Anyway,

God has been showing me many things lately and one big thing in particular is how important it is that if you've made a promise to Him you must keep it.

The Bible says it is better not to make a promise to Him if you don't think you can keep it than to make one and go back on it. 

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 -

If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.

Five months ago today, I made a promise (vow) to God that I am His and only His for an entire year. This is a pretty big deal for someone who always found it hard to be single.

I know God has a lot of work to do in me to prepare me for marriage, if marriage is His will for me.
Sometimes it can be difficult to wait for His work to be done in me.
I find myself wanting to know exactly what He needs to do in my heart to prepare me. What hidden things need to be healed or what hidden sins do I need to repent of? In my mind, if I know these things I can just "fix" it and then I'll be ready.
That's not how God works.

There are things that ONLY He can fix and I know that. I look forward to the work He will do as I can see what work He has already done in my heart.

Yesterday morning, after a lot of prayer the night before, God reminded me of how important it is to keep the promise I made to Him. I had started wondering if that promise was really something He wanted for me or not. Then the very next morning during my time with Him, He showed me the answer.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7- 

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

What I realized when He showed me this, was that whether the year of singleness was something He lead me to do or if it was just a hasty decision on my part, it doesn't matter. He is still holding me to that promise. It's extremely important that I keep that vow to Him.

And that's alright with me. I know there is a lot in my heart that needs healing so as I said before, I look forward to the work He is doing in me.

So if you have ever made a promise to God, small or big, be sure to fulfill it. Not because I'm telling you to but because God tells you to!

We need to remember that He is Almighty God and while yes, He is our Friend, He is also our Sovereign King and deserves the utmost respect and reverence.

Hebrews 12:27-29 -
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our “God is a consuming fire.”

So, I realized how important it is to keep this vow of singleness to my King and I intend to do so. Again, I encourage you to keep your promises and remember to have reverence for Him, our Holy God.

"Invited by redeeming Love, before the Throne of God Above....Oh praise the One Who fights for me and shields my soul eternally....I'm face to Face with Love Himself, His Perfect, Spotless, Righteousness."

Brit

Whose Favor do you Seek?

Who do you seek favor from? Who do you wish would look at you and be totally captivated by who you are? More often than not we seek to find a sense of worth in the opposite sex. We seek to impress them and desire that they find us favorable to their eyes. We hope they find us beautiful and special. We work our bodies, wear certain clothing, put makeup on our faces, all in hopes that someone will look at us and think, "She is special, she is worthy of my love." Or depending on who is reading this, "He is special, he is worthy of my love."

Have you ever thought about what goes into your minds throughout the day? The TV is plastered with advertisements, shows, and movies, all filled with what the world deems beautiful and successful. This most often includes skinny, muscular girls with jobs in which they make six digits or men that look like models in GQ and drive expensive cars. (By the way, I typed GQ into google and the tagline that came up was: GQ Magazine Online: Look Sharp, Live Smart) Because life is all about what you look like, and if you look good you must be smart....riiight. I don't buy it and you shouldn't either.

As we watch the shows, read the magazines, drive down the road and see billboards plastered with such images, we start thinking....that is who I want to be. I want to have a perfectly toned body, have a model husband (or wife) and make a lot of money, then I'll be happy.

Think about the people this world favors. We watch the red carpet events and praise those who make millions of dollars, dress in expensive clothing, and make movies that are filled with sex and violence. Movies that tell us to cheat on our spouses, or just never get married, climb the corporate ladder by cheating and stealing, scoff at the poor and homeless, and do whatever it takes to make yourself feel good about yourself. The majority of movies, shows, magazines, and advertisements are all about seeking the best for yours truly.

So I ask again, whose favor are you seeking? Why do you push your body to the extreme to "get the best body you can" or pamper yourself by spending hundreds on spas and clothing? Are you trying to impress yourself or the world around you? Are you trying to evoke lust or envy from those around you? Are you listening to what the world is telling you about what is beautiful and what you should strive to look like or be like?

I'll tell you a short story about my old self. I used to dress mostly immodestly. I used to wear dresses with plunging necklines and short skirts, all in hopes of getting attention. I wanted men to desire me and women to want to be me. (lust and envy) I must say though, in my defense, I didn't always know that what I was wearing would evoke such thoughts from others. But, most of the time I hoped that it would. It was only until God changed my heart so drastically did I realize the error of my ways.

I listened to what the world said was beautiful and whom they said I should seek favor from.

It is all a lie. The world is infecting us with ideas that are false and will not bring glory to God.
The favor in whom we seek will all die away, if we do not seek favor from God. What the world favors is all fleeting and only focuses on the temporal, not the eternal.

What is more important to you? How your temporal body looks on the outside? Or how your soul looks on the inside?

Proverbs 31:30-

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

James 1:11-

For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

1 Peter 3:3-4 -

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (Emphasis added)

"Of great worth in God's sight"....again I quote, "in God's sight."

What is of great worth in our Creator's sight?:
"your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit."
"A woman that fears the Lord is to be praised."

By the way, a gentle and quiet spirit does not mean we sit in the corner and twiddle our thumbs and don't speak until spoken to. It means we are staying tuned to what God says about how to live life as a woman.
(Sorry men if you're reading this but remember these things if you are looking for a wife! Seek one that focuses on what God thinks of her)

As women, we should not be harsh or act angrily towards others. We should be nurturing and loving.
We should not be seeking favor from anyone but God. Our Creator. The One Whom knows you, and loves you more than anyone else ever could. If you are in Christ, God is always pleased with you, He always looks at you as though you are the only one on the planet. He is captivated by you, not by your outward appearance but by your heart.
Do not seek favor from men or envy from women. Do not focus fully on your outward appearance as if your life depends on it. It certainly doesn't. Your life depends on Jesus Christ and what He did for you. Seek to please Him and Him alone.

I emphasis again, if you are in Christ, He is already pleased with you, you have already found His favor.
If you do not yet know the freedom that comes from knowing Christ as your Savior, there is no better time than now to ask Him to change your life. You don't need a new workout program, spa treatment, or bigger house, all you need is Jesus Christ. Seek His favor, and His favor alone.

Now, also, just to let you know, I'm not saying that going to the gym and eating better is useless, of course we also need to take care of our bodies. I am only saying that we should not be doing those things just to get favor from the world or because that is what the world deems as beautiful. Our inner beauty is what matters to God and therefore, that is much more important than what our bodies look like on the outside.

Get to know God's heart by reading His Word. If you are in Christ, it is necessary that we live and look different than the world, therefore, reading His Word gives us insight as to how to do that. As I said before, if you are in Christ, He is already pleased with you, but in reading what the Bible says about Christian living, you will find that it is a lot more freeing to live like He tells us to live rather than to attempt to please the world by doing what the world says and living like they live.

Romans 6:16-

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Romans 8:15 -

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

"Yours will be, the only Name that matters to me, the only One whose favor I seek. The only Name that matters to me....Your love is all I ever needed."

-Brit

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