Satan's Whispered Lies

     Sometime last year God started something in my heart.  A burden was growing in my heart for young girls.  He used several girls to really confirm what He had been trying to tell me.  I realize now He must have started this years ago when I was somewhere around 10 years old.  Our pastor, at the time, had a teenage daughter who gave me piano lessons every week.  But she didn't just give me piano lessons. She taught Wise Guys on Wednesdays.  I guess it was kind of like Awanas. But she invested so much in the lives of the kids in that little white church building.  She never failed to encourage us girls and she was always smiling.  She would have all of us little girls over for girls only Valentines parties.  I would sit and think, "I want to be just like her when I grow up". She had an amazing influence on my life.  I still remember my first piano lesson 11 years ago. I was so nervous, but she was so encouraging.  I wanted to be an impact on girls lives just like she was on mine.  But her dad resigned as our pastor so soon after we left that church. I lost sight of what she had  instilled in me.  I let Satan get a foot hold in my life and he was dragging me down faster and faster with every passing year.  Years later I would reclaim all of that, but that story is for a different blog.  Anyway, God put a burden for teenage girls on my heart by revealing the vast mission field within the girls of my own country at the beginning of last year.

     Satan is getting a foot hold in the hearts of girls across America.  He's using this world as his playground to spread his lies.  These girls are being lied to and not many people seem to be worried about it.  I keep finding teenagers who accepted Christ when they were a child, but it went no farther than that.  They aren't being taught how to be disciples of Christ.  They go into high school not knowing how to put on the armor of God and they fall victim to Satan's attacks.  If they've accepted Christ, Satan can't hurt them. But he'll do everything in his power to make them ineffective for Christ.  Anything he can do to stain, tear, and mangle their testimony for Christ, he will do.  He'll shoot every fiery dart in his quiver, aiming directly at their heart, and if they're not prepared, the arrows will stick and mar the heart the teens gave to Christ.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." 
Matthew 7:13-15

     Over the Summer, while on a mission trip, Hannah and I were doing a 5-day Bible club at the Children's Home for Teens.  There was one girl who really made an impact on me that week. She was seventeen years old and five months pregnant.  My leader was giving the invitation and asked them to raise their hand if they wanted to know more about accepting Christ.  I had seen her listening to the invitation and something told me she was going to raise her hand.  I was praying she would.  Slowly, and somewhat hesitantly, she raised her hand along with another boy.  I led them through the plan of salvation again and the girl was crying as both of them accepted Christ into their hearts.  That' s when I found out she was pregnant.  She wanted to raise her baby right.  The boy immediately asked me to give him some verses on patience, so several of the young adults and I got a list of verses for him and brought it back to him the next day.  I couldn't believe the way God worked that week.  Five teenagers from that Children's home accepted Christ that week.  That was my favorite Bible club we did this Summer.  We were able to bring light into those kids'  dark world.  I cried leaving them that last day.  I still miss them.   While there, a 17 year old girl tried to convince me that I was focusing too much on God.  I was worshiping God, which was great she said, but I was focusing too much.  She told me that God wanted me to have fun, that He understands.  I tried to explain, to no avail though, that I was having fun and I was having the best Summer of my life.  Sadly, she didn't understand and had it so very wrong. But it's what she was learning.  That is the message that is being taught to my generation, "Just have fun". Satan is using everything he can to deceive us.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 
1 Peter 5:8

    The book "As a Roaring Lion" by Paul Schwanke has a very good description of Satan. "Satan is our adversary, a word defined as an 'opponent in a lawsuit'. There has never been a money grabbing lawyer who could twist words and phrases like this pernicious pettifogger from perdition" 
Satan, like a lion, is making his way through the tall grass seeking those he can kill, cheat, deceive, and ruin.  There is nothing he loves more than deceiving the very ones Christ came to save.  He hates everything about God and tries to get even with God by hurting what He loves most.  He uses everything to spiritually disarm and wound us such as social media, music, and movies.  It brings God great sorrow to see one of His children fall, but He'll always be there with His arms wide open, waiting for His prodical son.

"Ye are of God, little children, an have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 
1 John 4:4 

     Something that really disappoints me is seeing Christians post things on social media sites that are totally contrary to the Bible.  Just because someone else posted it doesn't make it true.  You can be helping or hindering the spiritual growth of others by what you post on a social media sites.  So, before you say something, post it, share it, tweet it, chirp it, or yell it, THINK first!  Know what you believe so you'll be able to discern whether or not something is appropriate.  This is very important to understand.  Think about what you're telling the world you believe. 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 
2 Timothy 2:15

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 
1 Peter 3:15

We need to know the difference between truth and Satan's whispered lies.  Someone posted a quote on a social media site recently that was very wrong.  It said, "My attitude towards you depends on how you treat me".  This is saying that Jesus was wrong when He said, "love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:39 ). We're supposed to love one another and treat one another as we would want to be treated, regardless of how they're treating us.

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" 
Matthew 5:44 

It's a whispered lie that speaks directly to the flesh.  This is what the world would teach us and satan is just hoping we believe it.  Lies, like this one, are everywhere.  Satan uses this world to tear down every Biblical value he can.  Ones that I see everywhere is "follow your heart", "trust your heart" or "listen to your heart". WRONG again!  This one deceives a lot of Christians, especially young girls.  The fact that our hearts are deceitfully wicked above all things isn't taught like it should be.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 
Proverbs 3:5-6

     Why on earth would we want to trust something we can't know and is desperately wicked?  We as Christians need to stand up for Christ.  We need to know what we believe.  We are called to be a light in the ever growing darkness and to plant seeds everywhere we go.  Especially as young adults, we should to be examples of the believers in everything we do.

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 
1 Timothy 4:12

     When others see us, they should be seeing Jesus Christ in and through our lives, not only in what we say, but in our actions as well.  Unfortunately, the way we talk and act is how they judge our God. They judge God by our actions and words.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." 
Matthew 5:14

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 
Matthew 5:16

This is hard to do, especially when Satan never gets discouraged, tired, or gives up, as we often do.  Be aware of what's going on around you, and be ready with the armor of God.  This is Satan's world and it's full of evil that's laced with glitter and trimmed with excitement.  But, behind the lipstick and rouge, there's a deep dark evil pit trying to lure us in and devour us. This isn't just for those who don’t have Christ, like I said before.  If you have Christ, Satan will do everything in his power to tempt you and ruin your testimony.  He seeks to discourage us and steal our joy.  His goal is to make us ineffective for Christ's Kingdom.  Satan will do anything to distract you from God's will.  So, stand strong till the end, and keep running back to Jesus.

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 
2 Timothy 4:5-8 

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

~Philippians 1:6~

Fix Your Eyes

     Well, this  week has been exhausting to say the least.   My Dad started a new  work shift,  so he now has to be up at 5am every morning.  Since then,  we kids get up at 5:30am every morning.  It gives us time to say goodbye to Dad before he heads off to work, then we start our day.  Mom  asked me to create  a schedule for the week  and the first event I chose was Bible reading from 5:45am - 6:30am.  This week has been a hard  adjustment, since I have a hard time getting to sleep, but it’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you get up at 5:30 every day.  I love it, by the way.   So, on the plus side, seeing the sunrise every morning is worth rolling out of bed before the crack of dawn.

Anyway, God’s been teaching me a lesson throughout my walk with Him, and will probably continue till the day I die.  But, it seems  He’s been trying to teach it more so this week.  I’m learning to fix my eyes on Jesus, especially when I’m tired and don’t feel like reading my Bible in the morning.  It’s what I need to do!   When my flesh is screaming at me, “Just go back to bed!” for the first 30 minutes after I get up, Jesus is softly calling me to  His word.  He’s asking  me to walk a little closer with  Him today.   He’s saying, “Fix your eyes.”

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  (3)  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4


What is “losing a little sleep” compared to walking with the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb?  This world is full of evil of every kind and we can’t fight against it by ourselves.  We have to start every day with our eyes fixed on Jesus.  We have to stop making excuses such as, “I don’t have time to read my Bible,”  or “I’m too tired.”   I’ve made these same excuses,  I’m not going to lie,  but these excuses are a bunch of hot air.  Don’t have time to read our Bible?   Do we watch TV?   Do we read other books?   How about eating?   Are any of these more important than reading  God’s  word?

“For it pleased the Father that in Him should  all fullness dwell;”
Colossians 1:19

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and     increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Colossians 1:10

How are we supposed to “increase in the knowledge of God” if we’re not in His word?   Each of us should be a vessel, empty of ourselves and ready to be filled with Him;  dying to self  daily and giving up all youthful lusts.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart form iniquity.”
2 Timothy 2:19

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 
2 Timothy 2:21-22

Let’s start our day off with fixing our eyes on Jesus in His word.   Don’t start backsliding and getting away from God.  For me, it’s missing a day of reading my Bible, and the next thing I know I’ve missed another and another.  It messes up my daily  walk when my eyes aren’t  fixed on Christ.   My preacher always says, “The best cure for backsliding is a good dose of  repentance.”  Are  we daily  in God’s  word,  reading and praying?  We can usually tell if we’re getting away from God, because the Holy Spirit will start convicting our  hearts.  When that happens, there’s no peace within.  Peace is restored after repentance, and that starts with prayer.

Recently, I was having a couple of doubts about prayer and the way God answers our prayers.  I was wondering if our prayers actually made a difference.  I mean, I believed they did, and I could think of times in my life where God answered my prayers in a really big way.  Also, there are many instances in the Bible where people prayed and it changed things.  But, I was asking myself  “Does it really do anything when I pray for someone’s salvation or a church member who’s sick?   What about a friend who knows Christ, but has chosen the wrong path?”  It may have been Satan trying to put doubts in my mind.  I was feeling like I needed some reassurance from God.  So, I started  praying.   Go figure,  right?  God answered.

  “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.  (14)  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  (15)  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  (16)  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  (17)  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  (18)  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.  (19)  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  (20)  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
James 5:13-20

     **Elias, in verse 17, is very similar to my last name Eliason.   Pretty cool.  Random fact for the day.


It was like God was saying, “Here you go.”  Right there  He tells us, if any among us are afflicted, pray.  Afflicted means  to distress with continued suffering.  Those who are suffering around you, whether by persecution, finances, marriage, etc.,  pray.  “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”   Effectual has an interesting meaning which is, “Possessing or exercising adequate power to produce a designed effect; completely efficient.”  Prayer  works; it accomplishes a lot.  I still stand in awe over the fact that God does hear our prayers and cares enough to answer them.  He’s calling us to be prayer  warriors.   Verse 17-20 talks about a man named  Elias, who was “a man subject to like passions as we are.”  He was tempted to sin like us, and made of flesh just like you and me.  But, he was also a man of prayer.   He prayed earnestly about the rain and God answered his prayer.   Our prayers availeth much, so as we go throughout our day, let’s remember to keep our eyes fixed and prayers fervent.   God is teaching me to keep my priorities in the right order.   Are your priorities in the right order?  Who comes first in your life,  God or self?

  “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”
Philippians 1:20-23

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Philippians 1:6~

What's Your Reflection

How much time do you spend in front of a mirror?  How many times a day do you do a “mirror check“?  As a young lady, I know, for me at least, it’s a lot, although maybe not as much as other girls, but more than enough.  The amount of time in front of a mirror isn’t exactly what I’m focusing on; it’s more the time spent trying to improve our outer beauty, apposed to time given improving our spiritual beauty.  God’s not looking for hair that is straighter, curlier, most hair sprayed, or most glamorous.  He’s looking for a humble heart, and a beauty that only comes from knowing Him. There’s a beauty in holiness.

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the

beauty of holiness.”  

          Psalms 29:2  

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 

1 Samuel 16:7  

If God doesn’t look at the outward appearance, why on Earth do we focus on looking the very best?  We spend so much time in front of a mirror, making sure our make up is done just right or making sure our hair is gelled and spiked just enough.  I’m including myself in this.  I’m not saying it’s wrong to look nice, I’m not saying that at all.  What we need to focus on isn’t the outward beauty this world strives for, but the spiritual beauty that is on the inside.  Spiritual beauty is gauged by the Word of God. The Bible is our spiritual mirror.  So, what mirror are you using more??  Or, an even better question would be, what is it reflecting?  When we read God’s Word,  what is God trying to tell us?  Read verses in Matthew about being the salt and the light, then ask  yourselves, “Are we being that light for Christ that can’t be hid?”

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” 

Matthew 5:13-14  

What about chapter 6 of Matthew, where do we put our hearts?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  

Matthew 6:19-21  

We can’t forget about a very convicting verse in Mark either.  It makes us ask, “Do we really love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength?”  Do we really?

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”  

Mark 12:30  

Can we really love Him with every inch of our being? Can we love Him like He loves us? The answer is no.  We’re not perfect.  But, He does want our all, though we may be small and have little to give.   He wants us to give our all, no matter how small, everything we have and holding nothing back. One of my favorite examples of only having little to give, but giving it all, is when Jesus fed the multitude. There are 4 accounts of this event, but the one that God used to impact me was the account that mentions the boy.

“After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. 

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. 

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” 

John 6:1-11  

He was just a boy, but he gave all he had to Jesus.  It‘s a lot more than we can say we‘ve done sometimes.  Just like the boy, I don’t have much to offer Jesus, but He doesn’t need much.  He took the five loaves and two fish and used the boys small offering to do amazing things.  You may be saying something like Simon Peter said.  What is one Christian against this world? It’s just a drop in the ocean, right?  Well, look what God did with one boy giving his all.  Have you given your all?  What does your reflection look like?

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

~Proverbs 4:23~

A Little About My Weekend Teaching at Inner Princess

This weekend was amazing!  I was able to work with some of the most amazing Christian young ladies, at the home school conference,  while teaching the Inner Princess program.  We had somewhere around 70 girls in the program, ages 10 - 13, and were able to disciple and get to know these girls.  In the lessons that were taught, the goal was to teach these girls, that if they have Christ in their hearts, they are princesses.  They’re daughters of the King.  We covered a lot of topics, such as God’s design, staying pure, guarding your heart, beauty that comes from within, God’s purpose in everything that happens, how important it is to stay under your parents authority (even after age 18), forgiveness, and more.  Most of the time, I felt like God was teaching me, more than the girls.   God really reminded me this weekend of His purpose in everything that happens to me.   One of the main verses the girls learned this weekend was Romans 8:28, which says,

“And we know that all things work together for good to them
 that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”  

It’s amazing how easy it is to forget that God works all things together for good.  We taught 10 examples of things that we can’t change, that God uses for a purpose.

1. We are one of a kind
2. Our parents
3. Brothers and sisters
4. Nationality
5. How smart you are
6. The time in history you were born
7. Gender
8. The order you were born in your family
9. How you age
10. When we die

A few of these definitely stuck out to me.  God was really reminding me to be thankful for the unchangeable.  God brought one point to light that I too often forget, my parents, whom He gave for a purpose.  I was born into this family; God didn’t make a mistake.  God knew exactly what He was doing and has a plan in everything that happens.  I’m very blessed to have Christian parents who love God with all their hearts.  I have friends who don’t have Christian parents, their parents are divorced, or they only have one parent who knows Christ.  Well, it would probably be easy to ask God why, or think God made a mistake.  But, we know that’s not true.  God doesn’t make mistakes, remember?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28

Even the things that seem to be really bad, all work together for good to them that love God.  There was NO MISTAKE.  God is in control.  No matter what happens, God will use it.  What Satan means for evil, God will work together for good.

This is kind of short, but I wanted to share my weekend of helping teach at Inner Princess.

Have a blessed week.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Philippians 1:6~

You Lead, I'll Follow (Re-post from March 2013)

There’s those times in my life, when I’m going along and start to take my hand from my Jesus’. I try to walk on my own. This is my life, I can lead right??? WRONG! 
He knows what tomorrow holds because He holds tomorrow. He’s there already. Give it up, give it to Him. We can’t handle this world on our own. We aren't strong enough. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9,  "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Don’t give up when you fall. Proverbs 24:16,  "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." 
I am constantly struggling with stumbling over my past mistakes. God tries to use me and I’m asking Him how he could ever use me after something I've done in my past. I ask in pain, how? How on earth could He use me or want to use me for anything? But, God looks at me and tells me, He knows nothing about what I’m talking about. It’s forgiven. I’m forgiven. As far as the east is from the west. I’m forgiven. 
It shouldn't be, “Will God lead?”, it’s really, “God will lead.” There’s no question to if He’ll lead or not, the real question is, “Will I follow?” Psalms 139:10-12, "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." It doesn’t matter how dark your corner of the world is, how far away you’ve gotten from Him, or if you think He wouldn’t want you anymore. He can see you. He wants us. He loves us. He paid the ultimate price for us.  
When I’m down, feeling like I can’t take this world anymore, I’ve taken my eyes off of my Jesus and started looking at everything around me. I start worrying about those mole hills that I see “growing”. Those mole hills force me to my knees before Christ confessing my worrying. Worrying is not the greatest thing to do. God has told us not to worry. Not to fear because He is with us. Psalms 27:1,  "A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" He’ll lead us. We just have to follow. 

I like to sit in my comfort zone, as I’ve said before, but God has His ways of getting me out of that comfort zone. It’s one of His ways to give me a humble heart. I’ll be the first to say I have a lot of pride.  I forget how big my God is and how little I am. My pride is one of the ways my heart rebels from my Jesus. Rebellion gets you nothing worth having. 
Everyday is a second chance. A new day to walk closer to God than I did the day before. I fail, but I’ve been made new in Christ.
God will lead, I’ll follow, because His hands hold tomorrow. Just knowing that my Jesus holds tomorrow helps me through everyday.
Let God lead.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Psalms 139:14~

Let God Move

Psalms 27:14 
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord.” 

He’s still wooing this heart of mine after all I’ve done wrong. He’s still using me, even though I fail Him each and everyday. He works in me even when I think I haven’t tried hard enough. I got to see God work this year.
I’ve been doing ministry this Summer and it’s been easier to walk with God because I was around other Christians who encouraged me to keep my eyes on Christ. When you go home and you get back into the “Routine” of life it’s so easy to get away from God again. God worked on me this Summer, He’s still shaping and molding me. He showed me things in my life that I needed to get right and get rid of. He worked on a lot of the young adults that were out serving this Summer. I’m praying we all keep our eyes focused on the cross. We need to cling to the cross if we hope to stay true to Him. It’s so easy to get away from God, especially when we let life overwhelm us with different things that happen. I’m still learning to how to nail it to the cross. I have a way of letting issues seem bigger than God. I forget that He’s the creator of the universe, but He still has me in His hands. I let issues weigh my heart down and I worry WAY too much.  I am weak. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” But, because I’m weak He can use me. 
My dad taught the bible study at my church a couple of weeks ago it was on fasting and prayer and a couple of verses he used really impacted me. Joel 2:12-13  “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:   And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”  What really stuck out to me is where it says to “rend your heart”. Rend means to tear. We’re to turn to God and tear our hearts open to Him. Get on our knees before Christ with every issue life has to offer. 
Take your spiritual bat and smash the discouragement, the worrying, everything Satan will try to use to get your eyes off the Cross. 
So, when your tempted to compromise and go back on a commitment you made to Christ, DON’T. Get on your knees and tear your heart open to Christ. 
There are those times when there’s something on my heart and I pray and it just feels like God isn’t listening, but He does something like He did today to show me that He's still listening. I was listening to music on my laptop while cleaning my room and a song came on that I’ve never heard before it’s called Stand Still. The words stopped me, literally. He was talking to me, telling me to stand still and let Him move.  

Verse 1:

The Father has a plan. Though it's hard to 

see it now 

You feel you're walking all alone. 

But He is there no doubt 

When the storm around you rages, 

And you're tossed to and fro 

When you're faced with life's decisions, 

Not sure which way to go 

Chorus:

Stand still and let God move, 

Standing still is hard to do 

When you feel you have reached the end, 

He'll make a way for you 

Stand still and let God move 

Verse 2:

When the enemy surrounds you, And the walls 

are closing in 

When the tide is swiftly rising, And you wonder

where He's been 

Friend, there never was a moment, That His arms

weren't reaching out 

You can rest assured and be secure, God is moving

right now

I know this post was probably hard to understand because I'm extremely tired, but I'm standing still and letting God move. God is in control no matter what and I forget that He can see the bigger picture. Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

  "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

~Beautifully Created 4 Him~

~Philippians 1:6~

{God Will Supply}

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and that you can see every emotion you’re feeling through them. Something I saw a lot of the past month is eyes.
The mission trip was indescribable. Each town we stopped in brought more eyes hurting, desperate, empty, and hungry for Christ. The blitz team dove into a country full of abused children, broken families, and demonic activity. A county where you can find lost souls around every corner. A place where there’s children who don’t know the song Jesus loves me, that Jesus really loves them, or that God wants to save them not destroy them. This is my mission field. God has called me to this mission field and that is where I’m going. {America.}
  We seem to over look the fact that the country right here is lost. LOST. Going straight to the pits of Hell, and yet we tend to look down on those God calls to America saying, “Well, you’re not really a missionary if you’re not called to a foreign country.” Hog wash. God is calling me to the places in America where no one wants to go. I want to charge Hell with a water gun! It’s not anything we said that saved these people, it was God convicting their hearts. We weren’t doing this for us, or the couple who were taking us to these places we were doing it for God. We weren’t getting paid, we volunteered. This is what I’m called to do and I know God will supply all I need. Phlippians 4:19  “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Matthew 6:33  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”)
You know a lot of the blitz team could have been home this Summer making money, going swimming, and taking it easy after being in school. But, they didn’t. They knew God had a bigger mission for them and they yielded to God’s burden to win souls to Him. Some of them quit their jobs to spend their summer spreading the gospel of Christ. We sometimes let job security get in the road of what God wants us to do and try to make a safety net for ourselves. It’s not our job to do that. Money is not our security. God will supply.
 {God is our safety net.}
The blitz team has a mission this Summer. A mission to reach as many people as we can. We’ve been doing bible clubs for 4 weeks now and we’ve had 117 bible clubs, 3085 kids enrolled, and 963 people saved. That’s not including the bible clubs we had the week of SMITE, where we had 382 kids saved. We were also able to give away about 900 bibles. {God supplied.}
Our first week on Blitz we were in Hattiesburg Mississippi, and one of the places my team was going to do a bible club was this trailer park. This wasn’t just a trailer park. This trailer park needed to be condemned 5 times over. People were still living there though. Children were there. That’s why we go. Because even though you may be able to smell the liquor on the parents, or that there’re on drugs, the kids are hungry for God’s word.
You could see in the eyes of the children we got to know that they needed the kind of love that they never get. Christ like love. Through those eye I saw emptiness, joy, sorrow, relief, anger, and hurt. I only pray that they saw only Jesus through ours. (Matthew 5:16  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”)

God will supply.

In Mississippi we were doing a bible club at a children’s home where we had 29 15 - 19 year old boys and girls. That was different because I’m use to having bible clubs for kids that are a lot younger. But, that was one of my favorite clubs out of the whole month. A 17 year old girl who was 5 months pregnant accepted Christ along with 4 other young adults. You could see the hurt in these kids eye, the longing for something better.
I was also told that week by a girl who had just turned 17, “You’re focusing too much on Christ. You’re only just turning 18 you have your whole life ahead of me. You can do whatever you want. You’re worshipping God and that’s great, but He wants you to have fun.” I tried to explain that serving God was the most amazing thing you could ever do. Serving Christ is seriously the most fun I ever have. (Deuteronomy 30:16  “In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Deuteronomy 30:20  “That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”) She didn’t understand it though. That week I was so nervous about doing a bible club for teenagers and afraid I wouldn’t have the words to say. God supplied.

{God’s work, done in God’s way, never lacks God’s supply.} 

This is my mission field. This is where God is calling me, and until He changes that, this is where I’ll serve. I’m praying God will open up the doors for me to go into full time ministry. But, until then my next stop is New Orleans with the Blitz team. I leave next Friday, my birthday. I can’t imagine a more awesome way to spend my birthday. I ask that everyone prays for us as we go out to do more bible clubs in New Orleans.

Give Jesus Your {ALL}

  I can’t see a difference between this world and the Children of God anymore. It’s like they went into hiding and we’re taking for granted that Jesus died for us.  As if the Son of God came to earth, was born in a manger, grew up perfect, had all the temptations man had and still remained perfect, was beaten, mocked, hurt, and was pierced with a spear,  like it’s just a normal thing. It’s saddening to see how cold and indifferent the American Christians have become. Is it that we’re too afraid? Or maybe just don’t want to be rejected, looked down upon, or mocked. Why is it so easy to turn our backs on the One who gave it all?
This world is NOT our home, we’re just passing through. We take this world and expect to be in it and partake of everything it tries to offer us. We can’t be a servant of two masters. It doesn’t work. Matthew 6:24  "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  You can’t serve the world and be a servant of God. You’re either for Him or against. He gives everyone a free choice. He doesn’t force us to believe in Him. He didn’t want robots, He wants us to love Him of our own free will.
My Jesus gave His life for me, He gave His life for you, the least we can do is follow Him. Isaiah 53:5  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
We get sucked into this world. It tries to woo us and we fall for it’s temporary happiness. So soon we forget the immeasurable joy and the peace that passes all understanding that only comes from Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t ask for part of your heart, He asks for it {ALL}. He didn’t ask for part of your life, He asks for it all. He asked you to give Him your all. He gave His all. His all was on the cross. Isaiah 53:6  "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
We owe Him everything. We owe Him our minutes, our hours, our days, our words, our actions, our thoughts. We should give Him our {ALL}. It’s not easy. A lot of times I just have to grit my teeth and hold on. Gal 6:7-9  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
The believers of this Nation, that’s including me and everyone else who believes on Jesus Christ, are pathetic. We act like we’re secret agents with our faith. Like it’s our secret identity and no one is suppose to know. Don’t go mission impossible on God because everything is possible with Him.
Standing for Christ may make us martyrs, but if you have received Christ as your Savior, you just get promoted to Heaven!Philippians 3:20-21  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." If we don’t stand for Christ {WHO WILL}?
This world should KNOW we are Christians. God calls every believer to share the gospel. No one is unreachable. There’s no lost cause. Don’t give up on anyone. Plant those seeds, water those seeds, and pray.
Sometimes it may seem like that person you’re trying to be a Christ like example for is just not getting it, not listening, and just not worth the sacrifice. You know what, just grit your teeth and give it your all. God’s word will never go void. Our labor in Christ is never in vain.
Stand and give Jesus your all.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

Lump of Clay

Life. Boy is it hard. We push forward and just when we think it’s getting easy something happens, and it feels hard again. I feel like that wet mound of clay on a potters wheel getting squashed, thrown down, smoothed, and spun in circles. Isaiah 64:8  "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."
 My life is like that potter’s wheel, it keeps getting faster and faster. It can be absolutely crazy at times. Most of the time don’t know what’s up and what’s down. There seems like nothing is constant in my life, save one. The one and only that stays constant and unmovable. My Jesus.
He is the Rock of my life.
Life started to really get fast paced about 6 months ago. It was crazy before then, but it’s not even crazier. Between graduating last week, church, bible studies, life at home, and leaving on a 5 week mission trip Sunday life has been fast paced. Now on that spinning wheel, that my life seems to jump on more and more as I get older, it’s so easy to get distracted. So easy to take my eyes off the only solid thing in my life. I let life cloud over my mind and heart and I can’t see the cross as clearly. I can’t see the reason I started in this race in the first place.

It’s easy to be like Peter when he started out on the water to walk to Jesus. He started his walk with his eyes firmly set on Jesus. The Rock. The firm foundation. But, as those waves crashed around him and the thunder got louder, he took his eyes off Jesus. I start to sink under the pressures of this world and I try to bear the weight of the water all alone until I just can’t handle it anymore. I cry out as Peter did, “Lord, save me.” Jesus rescues me immediately. It may not be the way I wanted Him to rescue me, but God has a perfect plan.
 It starts with my bible. Reading it and studying it. My walk with Christ isn't going to work very well if I’m not letting God speak to me through His word. That’s where we start. John 1:1  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” If I’m not taking time to get in God’s word it’s very hard for me to hear God’s voice. We are to bear witness of Christ like Christ came and bear witness of His Father. John 10:25-29  "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall and man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”
God is my potter, He’s smooshing, shaping, and molding me into something that He delights in. It may not feel good all the time and it will be pretty hard at times. But, He is where I find my fullness of joy and everlasting peace. I am that lump of clay.
Don’t get so busy that you don’t have time for Jesus. You know it may be 5 minutes or it may be and hour. But, what matters to God is that you’re in His word, not just reading it to get your 5 minutes in, but really sitting at the feet of Jesus. Let Him show you something out of His word.
I haven’t had time to post a blog in a few weeks now and now I’m leaving Sunday morning on a 5 week mission trip. I’m going back to the Missionary Institute of Training and Evangelism (S.M.I.T.E.) for a week, where we get training on how to do bible clubs, then a group from SMITE will be going to different states for 4 more weeks doing bible clubs. My mom is going to be updating my blog with news, like salvation reports of how many kids have gotten saved, and where we are on the road. Your prayers are very much appreciated as we go out to share the gospel with kids who have maybe never heard it before. I pray that many children come to Christ these next weeks ahead. John 4:35  “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~John 10:14~

Torn Down - This Is To All The Girls

This is to all the girls..

"Don’t judge." Pretty much every girl I know has said this at one point in their lives. They put up a wall between them and people in hopes of getting away from those who will tare them down. “Don’t judge”, or “Don’t judge me unless you’re perfect”. Stuff like this is every where. You may say I’m judging you by writing this, go ahead. I feel like this is what I have to write. .
Girls every where are torn down. They are verbally ripped apart, made fun of, and laughed at. Judged.
This day in age we have computers, cell phones, face book, and we use it. These girls that are hurt use social websites to vent the storm raging inside. It’s used to let the people who hurt them know that hurting others with there words is wrong. Ephesians 4:29  “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” They let others know that they aren't perfect so they shouldn't judge them, verbally abuse, and laugh at them.
This is where you start practicing a double standard and hypocrisy. Those who hurt you, you now turn around and tear them down. That is where you made your choice. Instead of standing for what you believe is right, instead of practicing what you’re preaching, you choose to do the same thing you are condemning them of doing. You may say I’m over stepping my bounds, you may say I’m judging, but someone has to say this. I've done this before too. I've been at both ends of this. Ephesians 4:32  “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
But you have to know that this will rip your testimony for Christ to pieces.
You may even be joking or messin’ with the girl, but behind the smile could be a world of hurt that you don’t see.
We are to be the lights of the world. The world’s darkness is getting darker. God has called up out of darkness into His light. To be His light. Philippians 2:15  “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
Not all girls are like this, some figure out quickly that tearing people down is wrong. We've all done it though. All of us have gotten torn down one way or another in our life too. So, before you say something, write something, or type something think about what it will cause? Would Jesus be proud of it?

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

Persecuted Christians - Crossing The Bridge

 We usually don't think about how Christians are persecuted, or even that they are. We need to be praying for our brother's and sister's in Christ around the world that are persecuted everyday. I really like this article. :) 

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

Crossing The Bridge

BY WILLIAM STARK 

How are Christians persecuted today? This is a question not often thought about in the Western Church today. When Christians in the West actually think about persecution, they think about Ancient Rome, the Coliseum, and things of that nature. As if Christian persecution is something that can only be found in Church history.

People rarely think about Christians suffering in modern times, even though Christianity is the most persecuted religion around the world. From Morocco to China, Christians are persecuted on a daily basis for their faith.

With that said, how are Christians persecuted today? Well, it depends on the country, the religious landscape and the historical context. Here is an example of how Christians are persecuted in Eritrea today.

Eritrea: A Police State

It’s estimated that over 2,000 Christians are imprisoned for their faith by the government in Eritrea. Sometimes called the “North Korea of Africa,” Eritrea’s totalitarian regime uses imprisonment, torture and murder to repress all forms of Christian activity that takes place outside of highly regulated government churches.

Unlike most countries in Africa where Christian are persecuted, radical Islam is not what is driving Christian persecution in Eritrea. Instead, the country’s communist regime, paranoid of losing its absolute power, is the main persecutor of Christians.

So, how are Christians persecuted today? Well, in Eritrea’s case, Christians are arrested, imprisoned, tortured and sometimes executed.

Because the government’s persecution of Christians is so terrible, thousands of Christian attempt to flee Eritrea every year. Let’s look at Asmerom’s story of how he, and other Eritrean Christians, escaped from Eritrea in search of religious freedom.

Asmerom’s Escape from Eritrea

Imprisoned and tortured for his faith by a totalitarian government, Asmerom risked his life to escape Eritrea. 

 

 

Asmerom, an Eritrean Christian refugee, was imprisoned because of his Christian faith. Arrested for attending a house worship service, Asmerom was imprisoned in a military prison camp for over a year. In the camp, he was subjected to both physical and mental torture.

After his experience in the prison camp, Asmerom knew he had to flee Eritrea even though the journey posed many risks. “The danger starts when someone starts to think about escaping from Eritrea. If your escape plan is discovered, it is considered a crime and you can be imprisoned. [Also,] if you are caught sneaking across the border, you are either shot by border guards or sent to prison. There are many other dangers besides border guards. Many people get lost in the desert or are attacked by wild animals. Many also drown in the Tekeze River.”

Like many Christians fleeing Eritrea, Asmerom had to buy the influence of a government official to cross the border safely. “I had a friend whose wife was the relative of someone that could help me get across the border. In the end, I had to pay a military official 13,700 Eritrean Nakfa ($1,000 USD) to safely cross,” Asmerom explained.

Targeted by Traffickers

Most Christians attempting to flee Eritrea are not as fortunate as Asmerom. Many have no connections to border guards or government officials and are forced to turn to smugglers to bring them across the border. Hiring smugglers can be very risky and is another way how Christians are persecuted today.

In the most egregious cases, smugglers kidnap their ‘would be clients’ and either ransom them or sell them to human traffickers in East Africa.   

 “If someone suspects you or your family has money, [smugglers] will kidnap you and ask your family to pay a ransom of up to $30,000,” Asmerom said. “[In some cases,] people are sold to the Rashida people living in Sudan or Libya who will also try to ransom their prisoners. If the ransom is not paid, the Rashida will sell the person’s body parts like a business.”

Asmerom was fortunate enough to escape Eritrea safely. Now, he lives in Ethiopia and works with an association assisting Eritrean refugees. Unlike Asmerom, an untold number of Eritrean Christians continue to suffer inside and outside of Eritrea’s borders. Some remain imprisoned in Eritrea for their faith, while other are being trafficked as commodities by East Africa’s underworld.

So the next time someone asks how Christians are persecuted today, please think about the Christians suffering inside and outside of Eritrea. 

Article taken from  www.Percecution.org

Eric Ludy - The Gospel

This video is so encouraging and amazing! I ask you to watch it all the way through! It's a blessing. :)

Eric Ludy - The Gospel

 

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~

Peter - Called Out

(1 Peter 5:8-11)  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”


Peter - Called Out

The sun was shining bright that morning, not too hot out, the wind was softly blowing. It was a good day for fishing. Casting nets was their trade, that’s what they knew how to do, and they did it well.
 Peter and Andrew, born and raised in Galilee, were not weak men. Casting nets into the sea was not easily done by just anyone. They were fishers.
     It was a nice day. Peter thought it was a beautiful day. They were busy casting nets into the sea and carefully watching to know when to pull them up. The Sea of Galilee was a place they often fished.
Peter glanced at the shore and caught sight of a man walking along the bank of the sea. He squinted a bit, probably leaned forward, put his hand to his for head to shade his eyes, and something sparked inside. It was Jesus (Matthew 4:18). In a voice as clear as bells Jesus spoke, (Matthew 4:19) “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Both brothers were at the side of the boat now looking at the man who had just called them out. There was an unspoken agreement and an inner peace that both men had. (Matthew 4:20) “They straightway left their nets, and followed Him.” Leaving their trade, and all that they knew behind, to follow a man who clamed to be the Messiah, was maybe to some, most moronic. A lot of people thought Jesus was a lunatic, not the Son of the living God. It was crazy.
     Peter was continually amazed with all he saw while following Jesus. Sitting now in his own house listening to Jesus as He fellowshipped with his family, He had been worrying about his mother-in-law before Jesus entered his house. It was beyond description. (Matthew 8:14-15)  “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.”
     Following Christ is hard, He’d never said it was easy though. Again and again the disciples marveled at this man. Being in the midst of a storm and it seeming like they would all parish in the storm, while Jesus slept, was terrifying. The disciples woke Jesus saying, (Matthew 8:25) “Lord, save us: we perish.”   (Matthew 8:26)  “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Jesus caused a great calm.
     Peter was the one who wasn’t afraid to walk. (Matthew 14:23-32)  “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.   And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ”
     Peter was the prime example of human nature. We walk, we fall, and we get back up. Jesus never said that if we follow Him we’re going to be perfect at it. He just tells us to walk. Like Peter did. Taking that step of faith.
     God used him to be an impact on people everywhere while he was alive, but now he is an amazing example of God’s sovereignty, His endless grace, and never ending love.
Peter also denied Christ three times. (Matthew 26:35)  “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” He didn’t believe that he could deny his Jesus. He’d rather die. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. That good ole’ human nature kicked in again. (Matthew 26:69-75) “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”  
     Peter’s faith grew stronger with trial. He denied Christ three times, but he took up arms for Him. (John 18:10)  “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”
     God has used Peter’s story to show His children, generation after generation, of His grace, love, and mercies that endure forever. His life is the example that shows us that if we fall down, we need to get back up and keep walking towards Christ. Don’t stumble over mistakes of the past, you’re forgiven.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~
~Romans 10:15~

Grit Your Teeth And Hold On

  I can’t see a difference between this world and the Children of God anymore. It’s like they went into hiding and we’re taking for granted that Jesus died for us.  As if the Son of God came to earth, was born in a manger, grew up perfect, had all the temptations man had and still remained perfect, was beaten, mocked, hurt, and was pierced with a spear,  like it’s just a normal thing. It’s saddening to see how cold and indifferent the American Christians have become. Is it that we’re too afraid? Or maybe just don’t want to be rejected, looked down upon, or mocked. Why is it so easy to turn our backs on the One who gave it all?
This world is NOT our home, we’re just passing through. We take this world and expect to be in it and partake of everything it tries to offer us. We can’t be a servant of two masters. It doesn’t work. Matthew 6:24  "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  You can’t serve the world and be a servant of God. You’re either for Him or against. He gives everyone a free choice. He doesn’t force us to believe in Him. He didn’t want robots, He wants us to love Him of our own free will.
My Jesus gave His life for me, He gave His life for you, the least we can do is follow Him. Isaiah 53:5  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
We get sucked into this world. It tries to woo us and we fall for it’s temporary happiness. So soon we forget the immeasurable joy and the peace that passes all understanding that only comes from Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t ask for part of your heart, He asks for it {ALL}. He didn’t ask for part of your life, He asks for it all. He asked you to give Him your all. He gave His all. His all was on the cross. Isaiah 53:6  "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
We owe Him everything. We owe Him our minutes, our hours, our days, our words, our actions, our thoughts. We should give Him our {ALL}. It’s not easy. A lot of times I just have to grit my teeth and hold on. Gal 6:7-9  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
The believers of this Nation, that’s including me and everyone else who believes on Jesus Christ, are pathetic. We act like we’re secret agents with our faith. Like it’s our secret identity and no one is suppose to know. Don’t go mission impossible on God because everything is possible with Him.
Standing for Christ may make us martyrs, but if you have received Christ as your Savior, you just get promoted to Heaven!Philippians 3:20-21  "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." If we don’t stand for Christ {WHO WILL}?
This world should KNOW we are Christians. God calls every believer to share the gospel. No one is unreachable. There’s no lost cause. Don’t give up on anyone. Plant those seeds, water those seeds, and pray.
Sometimes it may seem like that person you’re trying to be a Christ like example for is just not getting it, not listening, and just not worth the sacrifice. You know what, just grit your teeth and give it your all. God’s word will never go void. Our labor in Christ is never in vain.
Stand and give Jesus your all.

~Beautifully Created 4 Christ~