Showing posts with label day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label day. Show all posts
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Think about this scripture. The God of the universe gave the only Son that He had just for you and me. He did not just send a bouquet of flowers or a box of candy. He gave His only Son. Jesus died on a cross, enduring excruciating pain and agony, so we could receive the gift of eternal life. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave a priceless gift. This kind of love is unlike any found on this earth.
We often say we love a particular animal, a food, a place, or some other thing. Personally, I love to travel, I love to bake, I love to write, I love to sing, I love to spend time with my family, and so much more. But this type of love is different from the type of love I show toward people. I love my dad, my grandma, and so many other special people. Yet, even though I love them more than words can express, Jesus loves me more than I could ever possibly imagine.
The love poured out upon us by Jesus Christ is unconditional, no strings attached. He loved us when we were still sinners. When we were unlovable, He loved us. Every moment of every day that we have lived on this earth, He has loved us with His amazing love. Before you were even born, He loved the very thought of you. Still today, He loves you with an everlasting love. Won’t you love Him in return?
Before you go to bed tonight, tell Jesus that you love Him. Thank Him for giving His life for you. Ask Him to come into your heart, so that you can enjoy eternal life. He will fill your heart with peace that passes all understanding. He will restore your joy, even in the direst circumstances. Jesus Christ is the friend who truly will stick closer to you than a brother. This Valentine’s Day, don’t just fall in love with that box of chocolates that someone gave you. Fall in love with the greatest Love of all. Fall in love with Jesus Christ!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Can you believe that the first full week of the year 2013 is now history? Seven days of the New Year have already come and gone. Either those New Year’s resolutions you and I made are clicking right along or else they have fallen by the wayside. There are now only 358 days remaining to make a difference in the year 2013. Only 358 more opportunities to start the day with a smile on your face, make someone’s day brighter, or end the day with thanksgiving to God for blessing you with another day to love, another day to laugh, and another day to live.
Living is what my New Year’s resolution is all about. Sure, I’ve made resolutions in the past to lose weight, consume less sugar, exercise more, etc. While I still plan to work on these things, I wanted to make a resolution that I could stick to, one that would make a difference not only in my own life, but in the lives of others around me. And so, my New Year’s resolution for 2013 is to love life more, love my family and friends more, and love Jesus Christ even more. Granted, I already love all of these things with all of my heart and soul, but I still know that there is an infinite amount of love in the world, so there is always more love to give. And that’s what I want to do in 2013: give more love to the ones I love the most!
In life, we get so busy that it is easy to get wrapped up in our daily routines, not even realizing the day-to-day blessings that God bestows upon us. It could be a hug, a smile, a handshake, or a sweet note, a smiley face, or a cup of coffee. Even the smallest little things can make a huge difference in our day. We may even set out to bless someone else in return, thinking we will pay it forward and do something nice for them tomorrow. 365 days later, the year has come and gone, seemingly unbeknownst to us. We don’t mean to forget, but the year comes and goes so fast that we simply lose track of time. And so, I urge you to make the most of every single day, even on the busiest of days.
Don’t let one minute sneak by you. Enjoy every moment of your life, whether you are at the office, sitting in a hospital waiting room, or riding the subway home in the evening. It doesn’t matter if you are walking down the aisles of the grocery store, driving your son or daughter to soccer practice, or waiting at a red light, there is always a blessing waiting just around the bend. Sometimes, it comes when we least expect it. And sadly, there are times when it comes and we don’t notice it at all. That’s why we need to pay special attention to every day of the year. Why? You never know if tomorrow might end up being recorded in your book of memories as the best day of 2013!
What about you? What are your resolutions for 2013? What goals do you hope to achieve? What hurdles do you hope to jump over? Who can you love more? How can you enjoy life more? I would like to give you a little assignment. I challenge you to post a comment below where you list one resolution you have for the New Year. Big or small, write one thing down. You’ll be surprised at how writing it down can be the little nudge you need to watch yourself actually achieve whatever it is you set out to accomplish! Plus, we’re all in this together. I’d be happy to pray for you and help encourage you in your journey to success! May God bless you always and may you always remember to live every moment to the fullest! There are 51 weeks left of 2013! What are you waiting for? Get out there and LIVE!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Did you ever wonder what it would be like if every day was Sunday? Today, I find myself wishing this to be true. Sundays are the one day a week when I can slow down, take a deep breath, and truly enjoy the day. There are generally no deadlines to meet, no work-related phone calls to make, and no stressful situations to wade through. Instead, there are delightful conversations with friends and family, uplifting church services to attend, and delicious food of which to partake. Not to mention the fact that Sunday afternoons also bring several luxuries to me personally: surfing the web, working on my blog, and one of my absolute favorites, playing the piano. But the one thing I like the most about Sunday is not the absence of stress or the ability to do as I please. The thing I enjoy the most is the fact that people around the world are simultaneously lifting up their voices in praise to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Additionally, the arrival of Sunday morning means that Christians in all four corners of the world are standing together in prayer, united together. If only for a moment, their hearts are joined in one accord. God’s Word says where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ, there He will be in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Just imagine how the angels must rejoice in Heaven when thousands upon thousands gather together on Sunday. What would the world be like if Christians united together every single day of the week? How would the news change if Christians everywhere met each morning to pray? Surely, the world would no longer be the same. Life would change for the better if every day was Sunday.
Philippians 4:4 (NIV) says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul does not say to rejoice in the Lord only on Sundays. Instead, he says that we should rejoice always. Even if we are sitting in an emergency room waiting room, we can still rejoice in the Lord. If we are bombarded with constant stress at work, finding ourselves being pulled in every direction, we can still rejoice in the Lord. And if we find ourselves in the darkest valley we have ever walked through, we can still rejoice in the Lord. Paul is not saying to rejoice for the difficulties that may arise, but to rejoice in the Lord always. There is never a moment when a Christian should not be filled with the joy of the Lord. If you feel weak, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength! Rejoice, be glad, and thank God for every single day He gives you.
The psalmist David gives us similar advice when he writes, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 ESV). David does not tell us that Sunday is the only day the Lord has made. The exact word he uses is the word, “This.” While this may apply to a particular day, such as the day when Christ returns to take His children home, we could also apply this advice to any day of the year. God has given us 365 days a year to either enjoy or dread. No matter what is going on in your life, there is always something to be thankful for. There is always a reason to rejoice. This morning, you woke up. That is a miracle in itself. Thank God for the miracles in your life. Rejoice every single day. Rejoice in every situation. Rejoice as if every day was Sunday.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Nearly three years ago, I remember talking to my Mom about my future wedding day. We discussed all of the details in depth, from the tiered wedding cake, complete with a fountain in the middle, to a garden of daisies and roses sprinkled throughout the sanctuary. She was to be my Matron of Honor. Everything was going to be perfect. The only thing I had to do was wait for that special someone to come into my life, in God’s timing. I knew that “one day” my Mom and I would enjoy sharing my special day together, along with my Dad and new husband. Little did I know that God had other plans.
Since my Mom went to be with the Lord, I have often talked to my Dad and a couple of close friends about my future wedding day. At first, I wondered how I could have a wedding without a Mother of the Bride…and without my Matron of Honor. Since this time, God has shown me that He has a dream for my life. No matter what trials come, He is in control. While I do not understand His plan, I know that He will remain faithful. And He even cares about my wedding day. In His infinite goodness, He will provide a Matron of Honor and perhaps, a Mother-in-Law of the Bride or other dear friend with whom I can share this special day. And of course, I am prayerfully trusting God to send that special someone as well! In spite of the changes that have taken place in my life, I know that “one day” my special day will take place, according to God’s dream for me, not my own.
Often times, we seem to forget that God has a plan for our lives. We may also ignore the fact that our steps are ordered by the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Notice that God gives us the freedom to plan what we will do along life’s journey. Yet, you cannot omit the second part of the scripture. God has established our steps. Our steps have been planned out, before we were even born. God knows what we should do and when we should do it. He knows if we will do His will, or follow a treacherous path of our own choosing. He also knows when we will walk our very last step on this earth.
If you knew that you only had one week left to live on this earth, would you live life differently? Would you go out and buy things you’ve always wanted, but have put off purchasing? Would you travel more in seven days than you ever have in your entire life? Would you say “I love you” more often? What would really you do? Take a moment to contemplate the honest answer to this question. Now, think about the way you currently live your life. Do you spend your money wisely? Or do you either waste it on frivolous things or pinch every penny, never to enjoy a luxury now and then? Do you cherish each moment? Or do you simply go through the motions of life? Do you cherish time with your family? Or do you take them for granted, spending more time with your coworkers, television, or computer?On countless occasions, I have heard someone who is nearing retirement say, “One day, when I retire, I will go on a cruise.” Or they may say, “One day, I will rent a motor home and take a road trip out west.” Or “One day, I will go visit my grandchildren.” Sadly, I have also seen some of these same individuals develop physical ailments before they retired. Often times, their health prevented them from experiencing the dreams they had waited their entire life to fulfill. One dear friend had many dreams, yet she had a heart attack a short time before retirement. As I sat at her memorial service, I recalled the many things she had planned to do with her husband, children, and grandchildren. For this sweet friend, “one day” never came.
In this day and age, I know that times are hard. I know the economy is suffering. Still, I have seen firsthand that life has no guarantees. You may save up money to do something or go somewhere “one day,” and that day may never come. I Timothy 6:17 (NIV) says, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Don’t wait until you retire, or strike it rich, to do the things you want to do with your family and friends “one day.” Instead, put your hope in God, and He will provide a way for you to experience the enjoyment of life in the here and now.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Two years ago, I felt like I was trying to do everything for everyone and all the while, doing it all alone. I continually strived to get everything done, but never asked anyone for help. I thought I was more than capable of completing the daily tasks on my own, but I was completely wrong. It became so much of a burden that I began to get very stressed out. The loss of my Mom had caused my patience to gradually fade away. Because of this, every little thing got under my skin, so to speak. While I was doing a balancing act, figuratively spinning an incredible number of plates in the air, I found myself seeking new tasks, or plates to add to my collection. I literally volunteered for everything, seeking to fill the void in my life. I felt if I got busy enough, it would relieve me of some of the sorrow. If I took on enough responsibilities, life would be busier, but less complicated. If I filled my schedule full enough, I wouldn’t have time to think about the virtual cloud hanging over my head.
Sadly, I was entirely wrong. The more responsibilities I took on, the more stressed out I became. The more stressed out I became, the less sleep I was able to get. The less sleep I was able to get, the thinner my patience became. The thinner my patience became, well, I ended up being somewhat like a pressure cooker about to explode. At least, that’s the analogy a friend of mine gave me when I confided in her about my attempts to fill the void in my life. I couldn’t understand why God would take my Mama away. I tried and tried, but I could not wrap my head around the reason for such a tragic event in my life. What was I to do? How could I get through each day if there was any down time whatsoever? Downtime meant time to think, and time to think meant time to think about the void in my life.
Through my experiences, along with much time spent in prayer and the study of God’s Word, I gradually realized that I was not in accordance with God’s will for my life. I did not have to do this alone. That, and the fact that I needed to stop spending all of my time thinking about what was bothering me. Instead, I needed to think on positive things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says, “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.” You see, I was thinking about the negative aspects in my life. I thought about how I did not know how to get all of my daily tasks completed each day. I thought about how I wished my Mom had not passed away. I thought about how life was not the way I planned, and how everything seemed to be going wrong.Instead of thinking about the things that were wrong, I have since realized that I should have been thinking about the things that were right. Instead of worrying about the things that were not going according to my plans, I could have been delighting in God’s plan for my life. In life, we often do not see the big picture, but God sees our entire lifespan. He knows all of our comings and goings, even before we have come or gone. He truly does know what is best. He wants us to live a life of joy. He wants us to think positive thoughts, full of truth, nobility, rightness, purity, loveliness, admiralty, excellence, and praiseworthiness. Doesn’t that sound better than thinking thoughts of negativity, falseness, and impurity, just to name a few? Surely, we want to think on positive things. Still, there are times when the worries and cares of this life outweigh the positive aspects of life. In these times of distress, we need to call on the One who created us, the One who created our ability to think. God can give you a mind-set of joy for your journey and peace that passes all understanding.
Along my journey, I still have moments when I momentarily fall into the trap of negative thinking. I wish I could tell you I had found the method to avoid such thinking altogether. What I have found is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although things in my life may change, whether it is friends moving away or loved ones passing away, I know that He will never change. And I will never be alone. He is always with me. It doesn’t matter if I am sitting in silence in my bed at night, or if I am at work with a list of a million tasks to be completed. He is with me. It doesn’t even matter if I am at my wit’s end, building up steam like a pressure cooker. He is with me. He overlooks my shortcomings, my outbursts, and my attempts to do this thing called “life” on my own. Why? Because Jesus loves me unconditionally, even my imperfections.
So, the next time you find yourself at the end of your rope, call on the name of Jesus. He will do the same for you. Jesus loves you more than you can imagine. Begin thinking positive thoughts, and you will be amazed at what positive changes take place in your life. Don’t try to do it all alone. Ask Jesus to help you. He is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Whenever you need Him, He is waiting with open arms. If you feel like you’re taking on too many responsibilities, seek God’s plan for your life. He knows which things you should be doing and which ones you would be better off leaving for someone else. And when you do accept a task, ask God to help you. He’s already been there, so He’ll know the best way to handle things. Will you allow God to be a part of your life, directing your paths and helping you through this thing called “life?” Or will you go it alone, gradually building up steam until you explode? It is my prayer that you will allow God to be the Lord of your life, your help in times of trouble. He longs to help you. Ask Him for help. Why? Because life’s too complicated to do it all alone.In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer