A New Creation...A New Start...A New You :)

There are alot of places my mind goes when I start thinking about what I would like to change about myself.  I think about my health, my financial state, my career and even my walk with God gets the evaluation and notes of change to consider.  Although I do what I call my "spiritual check up" at least once a year, I find it extremely difficult when others look at me and decide that reguardless of what I say "there will always be things about me that will NEVER change."  Its hard to attempt to work on old behaviors and atitudes while others try to keep you in the same box you fought so hard to get out of.  I guesss thats human nature...but then again so is sin.

I find much hope in Gods word.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

I love this verse for many reasons.  First the obvious is that it is a true fact not a possibility.  It doesn't say if anyone is in Christ he could possibly be a new creation, but he IS a new creation.  That gives me hope.  I love that the old has gone and the new has come.  God is so good about replacing the old stuff with some really great things that we would never dream of asking him for.

The other reason I love this verse is because it ends with a exclamation point (!).  Its as if someone is shouting this reminder from the top of their lungs.  I have so felt like this before.  Sometimes I even feel like shouting it to myself as a reminder that no matter how I feel, I am not who I use to be!!!

So try to remember that the only requirement that you need for change is Christ.  The old does not go away and the new does not come unless you are in Christ.  Believe Christ is who he says he is, believe he never lies, confess your faults and your need for him and ask him to help you walk daily with him as your Lord.  Life will not all of a sudden be easy but I promise it will never be the same and neither will you!
Im praying for you. Be strong. Remember when you look in the mirror that Christ could not ever love you any more or any less than he already does.  Also remember that no matter what others think you are that Christ sees who you are becoming and he loves everything about you.  Stay connected.  He is the only one that really matters anyway.

L.O.V.E

Happy Valentines Day!!! - Just a quick reminder that Valentines day is about celebrating someone you love, not necessarily celebrating a romantic relationship. Being single is a gift in itself just as being in a relationship is. Don't allow the enemy to convince you that today is a bad day because your single. The bible says to love God and love others as Christ loves you. Lets celebrate that ...today. Dont allow the joy that others express today in their relationship to be twisted into a mark down for you if you are single. Enjoy where you are, refuse to miss the moment and express to someone that you love them even if that someone is your best friend, brother, sister, your child, parents, etc... and remember 

Luke 10:27(NIV)
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

We could all use a little reminder that we are loved. :)

To Have Faith...

I think faith is an issue we take for granted.   We live in a world where we can get so distracted and put our faith in all the wrong things.  God calls us as His children to not only have faith but to exercise our faith in Him. 

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) states " And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

I know that as Christ followers we want to, and hopefully do, live our lives in such a way that honors our king.  However, there are days that everyone struggles with their faith and sorting out what they believe.  This is not a bad thing.  I believe that it actually draws us closer to the father.  But we must seek the right source of our faith and not be led down a deceptive path.  This verse in Hebrews clearly says that if we want to please God then we must have faith.  It goes on to speak about the importance of "earnestly" seeking after Him.  To seek after something means to pursue, or chase after.  How many times do we "chase after" something in this life?  We chase that new job, a new car, better body, better boyfriend or girlfriend, popularity, and the list goes on and on.  If we are chasing after something then in a sense - are we worshiping that thing we are chasing??  Anything that we spend most of our time thinking about can become our "little god". 
Who would not want a reward from God anyway? The verse goes on to say that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I cannot imagine receiving anything better from anyone else.  We serve a God that knows us intimately, he made us, he knows us to the very core.  If he is going to reward us it must be a gift that goes beyond our understanding, then again, what if the gift he has for you today is to sense his presence and peace so deeply that you can hear his heartbeat and smell his sweet presence? I will take it!!! Nothing could be better.
If you are struggling today to believe, I am praying for you.  Know that sometimes its not so much about believing in him as it is to believe Him!!  We can follow him our whole life but if we don't believe Him when he speaks, we miss out.  Try today to find Him all around you.  Quiet yourself, ask Him to draw near and let him love on you.  There is no greater thing than letting Jesus love all over you.
Dont ever stop believing and when you think you may be close....tell him to help you.  He cant help you if you dont let him.

Hebrews 11:6, 1Tim6:12, James 2:22, Romans 1:12,17