Forsaking Your First Love...

Revelation 2:1-7

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Greetings, My Beloved!

I hope you had a great Memorial Day holiday, and in turn a fabulous week! Last Sunday night in our connect group bible study; my husband brought a word on profane fire. He talked about the offering that Aaron's sons brought, which in turn brought the death of them. It makes you wonder, what is my heart like when I bring forth my dutiful worship? Worship is so much more than a song that we sing on Sunday morning. This morning, during my prayer time, the Lord showed me how I have crowded Him out of my day because I stay so focused on getting everything around me done. I think it can be done inadvertently. I don't think any of us really want to leave God out of our day, but as we say the token prayer as we are rushing to our next task, are we really realizing our heart in the matter? Here is a run-down of what my day can look like - Wake up, "Good Morning," hop in the shower, rush to get ready, grab a bite to eat as you rush from the door, sit in traffic, rush in the door to work, rush from one task to the next until it's time to call it quits (fit lunch in there somewhere), sit in traffic on the way home, rush to eat dinner, and then veg out on the couch exhausted from all of the rushing around, go to sleep - wake up, and repeat. I'm sure you all can somehow relate. It may not look exactly like mine, but you can see how quickly we can forget about God in any given day. You can even be doing things for God, volunteering at the church, or really doing a plethora of good works, but is God truly in it?

I think the church of Ephesus, really was trying to do the right thing. I don't think they intentionally forgot about their first love, God. It is so easy to get caught up in doing things that you just simply forget the intent of it all…especially, when trials come your way. How much more difficult is it to continue your rushed routine when you get a wrench thrown in the middle of it all. Perhaps you or a loved one becomes sick, then how are you going to get everything done? What if you lose your job, and you wonder where the next meal is coming from, the worry takes the place of the busyness, and you wonder, “Where is God in all of this?” The Bible says that the Ephesians persevered and endured through the hardships. They did great deeds and worked hard. You hear throughout this scripture how they persevered, and past the tests, yet through it all they forgot their first love. Have you forgotten your first love?

Come back to the heart of worship. Fall back in love with God. When I first met my husband, I couldn't wait to talk to him again. I would think about him all the time, about the next time we would get to see each other. It was exciting - I wanted to know more and more about him. Isn't that how we should feel about God. That we can't wait until our next encounter. Let's encounter God in a new way today. Last week I spoke about remaining in God's presence. Let us show God how much we love Him while we are in His presence. After all, He showed us how much He loved us by sending His only son to die for us that we may gain eternal life, and spend an eternity with God.

 

Worship with me!

 

 

 

Blessings!

Christina



 

Walking in God's Presence

Psalm 89:14-18

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Greetings, my Beloved!

I hope you are having a fabulous week! I know that I am. Summer is just around the corner, and I am enjoying the warmer weather, the bright blue skies, and the beautiful colors of the season. It makes me appreciate the beautiful world that our God has given to us. This morning during our devotion time, we spoke about God's presence. How cool would it have been to walk with God in the Garden of Eden! But we don't have to wait until we get to heaven to experience walking with God. We are surrounded by the light of His presence, and we can walk with Him now! Let us recognize God's presence around us and walk with Him today. Let us praise Him for the wonderful things that He has done in our lives. Recently, my husband had an injury at work with his back. The doctor at his work said that he has a slipping rib syndrome, where the rib slips out of its socket, and creates excruciating pain. There is no cure for this syndrome - it is very rare. But I know a God who can heal, so we prayed for him. He no longer feels the pain - Praise God! I know that God is right there just waiting to meet our every need. We just need to cry out to Him! Enter into His presence, and just wait and watch for God to move powerfully in your life. But seek first His Kingdom and Righteousness:

  

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

  

Are the wants and desires that you have in your life within the will of the Father? Search your heart to see how your wants and desires will benefit the Kingdom. It's something to think about. Perhaps we need to change our perspective from the here and now, and gain an eternal perspective. You may wonder, why God hasn’t answered my prayer; perhaps you haven't gained the eternal perspective. Is it a timing thing? Perhaps God is waiting for the right time to grant you your desires. Or perhaps, He has answered, and it is just not the answer you wanted. Just recognize, God knows best - he knows what will work in your life, and your future. Just trust in Him, and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I just know that God wants to do amazing things in your life. Just enjoy His presence, trust in Him, and everything will be just fine.

  

Worship with me, as we enter into His Presence!

 Blessings!

Christina

Ocean's Choir

As summer approaches, I can't help but get excited. Summer is my favorite season of year. I love the hot weather, high humidity, and the beach! I suppose it's because I was born in the summertime. This past weekend, we took our first trip to the beach, and I wrote a poem in honor of the summer season! Enjoy!

 

 

Ocean’s Choir

The Sun is like a ball of fire

An audience to the Ocean’s Choir

Amber waves crashes on the sand

Onyx Crystals surround our hands

 

 

 

Summer’s calling through ocean waves

Children laughing as they play

Fortresses built out of sand

To protect the creatures of the land

 

Don’t forget about Season’s past

Dancing memories, twirling fast

Fading visions soon take flight

Waltzing into our dreams tonight

 

 

Blessings!

Christina

 

Examine My Heart, Lord!

Psalm 26:1-3
Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

Greetings my Beloved!
I hope you are having an amazing week! Isn't God good. That even in times of trial, God is right there ready to lift you up, and set your feet on solid ground! I can tell you, that even in the darkest of hours, God is so good. Last night at church, I was with the little kids, and we learned about Job. Here is a man that lost everything - his house, his family, his livelihood, and his health. His friends mocked him, and yet he clung to God. When I read this verse, I think of Job. A righteous man, who lived a blameless life, yet all of these bad things happened to him. Jesus tells us that we will have troubles: 

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James tells is to consider it joy when we go through trials. I know what you're thinking, because believe me the thought has crossed my mind more than once, "Do you really expect me to be joyful when troubles come my way?" But James reveals the mystery behind this odd way of thinking:

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It is amazing how much you grow by the time you reach the other side of the trial. God has taken me down a path of repentance, showing me every hard spot on my heart - every resentment, every ounce of bitterness, and every place of unforgiveness. If God is able to reveal such things in your life, you think, okay good - I repent and that's it. However, the repentance was the hard part. It is so hard sometimes to forgive the very person that has wronged you. Especially, when you know that you were in the right. However, remember that vengeance is God's. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. So, David is asking for God to vindicate him. He is not to blame, and yet it is so hard to look past the guilt. Allow God to vindicate you, that you may continue to live the blameless life! Trust in the Lord, and allow Him to examine your  heart and mind, that you may remain blameless to the day of the coming of the Lord. Let us examine our hearts this week, allow God to test and try you, that you can experience His unfailing love, and that your faith may increase.

Regardless of what you are going through, whether it is good or bad - press into God, drawing nearer to Him! Worship with me!



Blessings!

Christina

 

A Mother's Blessing

Proverbs 31:28
"Her children arise and call her blessed"

A Mother's Day poem for my mother - she is truly a great inspiration to me.

A mother's love

A mother's kiss

A warm embrace

Eternal bliss

 

A song of joy

A sweet, kind heart

A sincere prayer

Wisdom impart

 

Loving memories

Worth more today

Brings joy tomorrow

And will always stay

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Christina



Waiting on the Lord!

Psalm 27
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Greetings my Beloved!

I hope you are having a great week, I know that I am. It doesn't mean that troubles are coming my way, or that chaos is abounding. It means that I am gaining my confidence in the Lord, that I can see the calmness in the midst of the storm. I hope you are able to find that confidence as well. I know that Life has a way of getting us down even on the brightest of days, but it is so encouraging to know that the Lord is right there by your side - He promises to never leave us or forsake us. God's promises are true. Can you see the goodness of the Lord around you? Perhaps you are feeling ill, how can you see God in the midst of sickness? Or perhaps your finances are not where they should be, how can you see God in a time of desperation? Or perhaps nothing is going your way, how can you find God in the midst of frustration? God is our healer, our provider, and our peace. However, oftentimes we want to see instant results, and God's timing does not always occur when we want it to. That is why it is so important to wait on the Lord. Can you feel His peace starting to emerge while you wait? Wait on the Lord; can you feel an ounce of His strength rising up within in you as you wait? Wait on the Lord, can you hear is small quiet voice as you wait on the Lord? It is hard to find that time to just wait on the Lord, especially when calamity rises up around you. But the benefits of waiting on the Lord far outweigh the impatient heart's cry.

Blessings!

Christina

 

Boasting in the Lord

2 Corinthians 10:12-18

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Greetings, My Beloved!
I hope you are having a fabulous week. This has been trying on me, to say the least. It seems like when you are feeling the most vulnerable; the enemy has a way of moving in to make you feel that much worse. It is so much better to see yourself from God's eyes than your own eyes. When you see yourself through your own eyes, insecurities set in, and you develop a victim humility mentality rather than a godly humility.

It's funny how often we find ourselves comparing ourselves to other, as they boast loudly about themselves. Or have we fallen into the trap of self-boasting? The moment we find ourselves comparing ourselves to others, we begin to feel like we're not enough. It welcomes insecurity, and it keeps us from fulfilling our purpose and destiny that God has for us. Let us stop comparing ourselves to others, and step into the destiny God has for us, that we may boast about all of the wonderful things He has done!

So, let us look around us, and discover all of the wonderful things God has done for us!

 

Worship with me :)

 

Blessings,

Christina