Love Covers All

First days are the hardest. First day on a job, first day at a new school, first day in a new town. All of these can be a stressful experience but what about the first day of a breakup? After being in a relationship for a few years, months, even weeks, going back to being single can be a little depressing for some.

The first day of a breakup is like the first day of a broken heart. It's painful. We feel the need to listen to sad songs or watch sad movies and make our wounds deeper. But one thing we almost always forget to do is turn to God.

Psalm 34:18 says that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This means that we should draw near to Him. He is the only one that can heal all our wounds, no matter how deep. He is the true definition of love. "Whoever does not love, does not know God because God is love." 1 John 4:8

Taking a moment and just focusing on God's love helps me feel ten times better in a matter of minutes. He loves us so much it can't be measured or compared. So don't feel down that someone didn't realize your worth. Feel loved because God is still here for you! He will never leave you!

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." 

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

There it is. Written plain as day in the Bible. This is the Word of God. You are not alone. God's love covers you at all times. It is truly something we should thank Him for each and every day.

Today I pray that you see how special you are in the eyes of the Lord. May no person, man or woman, young or old, make you feel as if you are not loved. Christ is our savior and He loves us more than we can ever imagine!

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Chelsie 

Fasting Firsts : My Fasting Expericience

I fasted for the first time on October 23, 2014. I remember my pastor saying that previous Sunday that if we were not doing the corporate fast we needed to start. With that being said, I realized it was time to submit to God in a way I had never done before. When the day of the corporate fast came I had the support of my mom and dad and decided to fast from food as well as social media. This meant no Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat.

Keep Moving Forward

As humans we get comfortable where we are. We have a job, a place to stay, and a good group of friends so that’s it right? I’m content. No. God has much more for you! We often think to ourselves that we can’t move upward in our job or even get the job we really want because we don’t have certain credentials. To be honest with you, that doesn’t matter. When you have the favor of God working in your life, there is absolutely nothing that is impossible. 

Get Out That Mud

Do you know how special you are? Have you ever sat and thought about how important you really are? I just finished reading Priscilla Shirer’s book, A Jewel in His Crown and it made me realize that I haven’t been carrying myself as royalty. We are all His daughters and that makes us royalty for Christ is King of Kings and Lord of the Universe. I recommend this book to every woman. It had great points and increased by self-confidence.  

Tis The Season

Merry Christmas! 

This time of year we all get caught up in buying gifts for our loved ones, setting up our Christmas trees, and then finally pigging out and watching the all day marathon of A Christmas Story. Let us take a moment and remember the real reason for every season.

Someone Is Always Watching

Have you ever noticed you’re always being watched? Not just by God but by other students, teachers, friends, or colleagues? By people who know you are Christian and are waiting for you to do something not so Christian? I think many of us have felt the piercing eyes. This sounds terrifying but I’m here to tell you this can be a great thing. Let’s take a moment and turn this around.

The Ultimate Mask: Perfection

No one really knows what someone else is going through. I think I put up the best mask. This past week has probably been the most stressful week ever but I don't think anyone noticed. I quote verses, I laugh, I smile, I don't really let anyone in because I have to be perfect. I have to be the one that's holding it all together so that others knowit will all be okay.

Glory to God

Life can be so difficult. I mean that's the definition of life right? An obstacle that one must complete before winning the ultimate prize: Eternal Life. The most difficult part about life is having to deal with certain people. People who are supposed to be your friends, people who are supposedly your family. People who say they love you. It can be so hurtful when someone who you believes loves you, hurts you. And it doesn't have to be anything major.

Change Is An Inside Job

I think it's important to be yourself. To think for yourself & to make your own decisions. When you make your own decisions you only have yourself to blame if something goes wrong and if something goes right...kudos to you! People are constantly looking to either take credit for your works or change you to be something your not.

Be a Peach out of Reach. Not a dumb Plumb

We have to have values. So what if our standards are high? We deserve what we believe is the best. I personally wouldn't give someone less than my best if I truly cared for them so why should I accept anything less? Sometimes I believe I put too much focus on relationships and what others think of me but these last few weeks I've felt myself getting stronger emotionally and learning more about myself.

Greater Is Coming

God is preparing us for greater. Change can be a painful thing but the outcome will be rewarding. God allows for us to be in certain situations so that they will drive us closer to Him. We make mistakes and get mixed up with the wrong people but when God looks into our hearts, He sees that there is good in our hearts and forgives us. All He asks is that we seek His mercy. Whenever you feel yourself being faced with a storm that is trying to break you and tear you apart from God, tell that storm "You will not win." When God tells you He will fight the battle for us, then we must trust in Him to fight the battle, for the battle is not ours. Continue to pray for one another and keep your eyes on God. Stay focused in His word and allow him to bless you so that you may be a blessing to others.

You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you." (2 Chronicles 20:17 NASB)

Change All The Way Around

So I've changed some things on my social networks and it feels pretty great. This new start is off to a great start. So much had been holding me back and tying me to a past that I was ready to move on from. There are a few things that I still need to cut loose but I'm working on it. We all know how some things and people are harder to cut off than others. Some times you WANT to keep certain people or things around but you know you don't NEED it. Other times that person or thing may be something that is constantly around; chocolate, a coworker, soda, your roommate. All of these are harder to cut out because they are in our every day lives. In this case we have to pray for one another to be strong and fight temptations. Fight the urge to eat that Twix during a late night cram session, fight the urge to roll your eyes at your boss after giving you an impossible task 5 min before time to clock out. Work with your roommate on keeping the kitchen clean. Humble yourself. Be there for one another. Encourage one another. Pray for your enemies. This is what I will do and pray for you to do as well.

Matthew 5:44
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.

Make a blog. It's that simple.

It feels weird finally taking this first step in branding my name. I've anticipated this for months now and surprisingly it feels good. It feels relieving. I've wanted to start a blog ever since I googled my name a few months ago to see what would come up. This was the first homework assignment a leadership professor of mine had given me. The first lesson was about how our name was a brand. When I googled my name I saw something that instantly worried me. A myspace page of someone with the exact same name as myself but a much filthier mouth. All I could think of was how many employers had seen this and thought it was me and how many would see it in the future. The worst part was I had no idea how to fix it. Until a few weeks later. In this same leadership class a woman came and spoke to us about what else? Branding ourselves. She said that if you see something you don't like when you google yourself, make a blog. It's that simple. Make a blog and post as often as possible. So that's my goal. As you can see the first part is done, the second part may be a little harder. But I will focus on the positive. I've finally taken that first step and as long as I take it one step at a time, I think...I know I can do it.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.