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

God's Righteousness

Psalm 71:19-21

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.

Greetings My Beloved,

I hope you are having a wonderful week. Mine has been interesting to say the least. I got a traffic ticket yesterday, and it really took me to a dark place. It has been quite a long time since I received a traffic ticket, and it took me down this slippery slope of dark thoughts. I felt so wretched. Have you ever felt that way. It was quite a humbling experience, recognizing that I am not perfect. Every once in a while I need a reality check. I get on this path striving so hard to be good, that I often times fall into the trap of thinking how good I am. Don't get me wrong, it is important to have self confidence, but there is a difference between self righteousness and God's righteousness. The first is when we think we are so great on our own. Then we go into this thought process thinking we are better than others. It brings this comparison thing to a whole new level, where we ultimately begin to judge others. Every once in a while God has to give me a humbling experience to recognize that He is God, and I am not - that my righteousness alone are like filthy rags:

Isaiah 64:6

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Does that mean we should continue down the spiral of self condemnation, only to find ourselves so unworthy that we get the attitude that if we are bad anyways, we should just be bad. God wants for us to strive for righteousness, just His righteousness rather than our own.  

Philippians 3:7-11

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Once we recognize this righteousness, there is such freedom. Knowing that regardless of our situations, regardless of our trials or circumstances, that God is righteous - His righteousness reaches to the Heavens. He is King over the earth, so while we may face the justices without mercy within this world, know that God is a righteous judge, full of mercy. That He understands our troubles, and can restore our lives, raising up our honor while comforting us. Isn't that encouraging! Knowing that regardless of how bleak our situation may be. God's righteousness surpasses that, and He is able to restore our life.

 

Blessings,

Christina

God is Here

Psalm 28:6-9
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

 

 

 

Greetings my beloved!

I hope you are having a fabulous week. I have not been feeling well all week, and have been in deep prayer. I know that God is present - He promised never to leave us. Hebrews 13:5b God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” No matter what you are going through, whether it is sickness and pain, hardships, or trials, God is right there by your side. When you have the unanswered questions, and you're not quite sure what tomorrow brings, God will be there by your side.

Psalm 23:5

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

He hears your cry for mercy, so cry out to Him. He will become your strength and shield, you just have to trust that He will help you. He is your shepherd, and will carry you forever. So, regardless of your situation, know that God is right there by your side, waiting for you to cry out to him. He wants to pick you up, and hold you in His arms, and comfort you. Allow Him to give you His strength.

Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Cry out to Him today. Tell Him your worries, your concerns, your fears. Tell Him your joys, your praises, and your thanksgivings. Tell him of your sickness, your pains, and your discomforts. He is right there listening to you. All you have to do is talk to Him.

 

Blessings,

Christina

 

Being with the God of Peace

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Greetings My Beloved!

I hope you are having a wonderful week. I was surprised by the drop in temperature, and can't seem to get the chill out yet. I'll be honest with you, this week has been a challenge for me. The enemy has robbed me of my sleep, filled my head with insecurities, and my emotions have been on a rampage - my poor husband has been kind enough to support me and comfort me during this troublesome week. It is so easy to get wrapped up into the cares of this world, that you neglect your spirit man, who is just aching for more God time. God is also longing for that time of just you and Him, yet we get so wrapped up in our day to day lives it is so easy to slip out of that spiritual time with the Father. In the mean time, you start to wonder, "Why do I feel so bad?" Let's face it, the further we get away from God, the further removed we feel from His Peace. I'm not saying that we are denying God, and becoming heathens. What I am saying is it takes one compromise, one justification, and you start down this slippery slope. Does it mean you're a bad person? No, what it means is you have to fight that much harder to get back into the Lord's presence. How do I know this, because it happens to me all the time.

This scripture says to "Rejoice in the Lord always." How easy it is to rejoice in the good times, but what about the bad times? What about when you're feeling sick, or tired because you spent the whole night worrying about things you have no control over? What about the times when nothing seems to be going right, are these times to rejoice? There is something about Rejoicing in the Lord, when your mouth starts singing praises, and your focus starts to change from self to the Lord. James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." It's like a magnet pulling in to attach itself to it's polar opposite. The closer you get to God, the closer He pulls to you - it's so beautiful!

It is at that time, in the Lord's presence, that you can tell Him anything. Tell Him about your concerns, your worries, your doubts and fears. Tell Him that you love Him, and thank Him for all of the wonderful things that He has done! Then just sit and listen - bask in His presence, you'll never want to leave! Yet the chaos of the world is calling, and because we are still bound to this earth, there are some responsibilities that we can't ignore. Take God with you - His omnipresence really never leaves. Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Life seems so much easier when you have God on your side. It's not to say that troubles won't come. The Bible is very clear about that, but there is good news:

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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 at that time you can achieve true peace, God's peace. It's recognizing God is in control, God is the source of everything, and that even when bad things come along, there is reason to rejoice, because God is alive, and He will take care of everything.

So, don't let your thoughts go to waste thinking about the should of..., would of..., could of... No, think about the beauty of the Lord, and His majesty! Think about the God of Peace being by your side. So, be encouraged my friends, not to live another day in bondage, regretting the past, worried about the future, or the burdens of today, but think about How the Lord predestined your life. He has walked by your side every step of the way, and has a purpose and a vision for your life. So step into your destiny today!

Blessings!

Christina