Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Essence of God
This morning, i renewed the listing for my yellow key chain on my Etsy shop. As i looked at the picture of this key chain, i felt like i'd just gotten a good morning hug from God.
God's love is so astounding that words could never do it justice & it could never by measured. The #1 reason why each of us were born is because God loves us. We were all created by Him to love & be loved. The very essence of God is love.
I find it so sad though, that some people can't grasp the reality of God's love & all that it has to offer. Some people just don't believe in something they can not see. They haven't recognized the experiences of what God can do. Therefore, they don't embrace God's love which would allow them to grow in it & truly enjoy it.
Throughout part of my life, i was not in a relationship with God. I am sorry for that. But through His love, He never took me for granted & kept me safe when i was taking Him for granted. I didn't realize that i could truly have hope in my life. And i was definitely unaware that my life could have a genuine purpose & meaning.
Did you realize that throughout the Bible, God tells us all about Himself? But the most important thing that He wants us to know is how tremendously awesome His love is for each & every one of us!
Can you imagine how many hairs there are on your head? Could you count them? God can. How amazing is that!!! He loves us so much that hi even know how many hairs we have on our head!!!
Heavenly Father,
I thank You & praise You for Your love. I ask that you be with each & every one who is uncertain of Your love. Please open their hearts & minds to recognize & experience Your love. Show them how to embrace it, nurture it, & grow in it. In Jesus name, i do give You all the praise & all the glory. Amen.
God's love is so astounding that words could never do it justice & it could never by measured. The #1 reason why each of us were born is because God loves us. We were all created by Him to love & be loved. The very essence of God is love.
I find it so sad though, that some people can't grasp the reality of God's love & all that it has to offer. Some people just don't believe in something they can not see. They haven't recognized the experiences of what God can do. Therefore, they don't embrace God's love which would allow them to grow in it & truly enjoy it.
Throughout part of my life, i was not in a relationship with God. I am sorry for that. But through His love, He never took me for granted & kept me safe when i was taking Him for granted. I didn't realize that i could truly have hope in my life. And i was definitely unaware that my life could have a genuine purpose & meaning.
Did you realize that throughout the Bible, God tells us all about Himself? But the most important thing that He wants us to know is how tremendously awesome His love is for each & every one of us!
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid, you are all worth more that many sparrows."
Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)
Can you imagine how many hairs there are on your head? Could you count them? God can. How amazing is that!!! He loves us so much that hi even know how many hairs we have on our head!!!
Heavenly Father,
I thank You & praise You for Your love. I ask that you be with each & every one who is uncertain of Your love. Please open their hearts & minds to recognize & experience Your love. Show them how to embrace it, nurture it, & grow in it. In Jesus name, i do give You all the praise & all the glory. Amen.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Trust In The Lord
"It's better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."
Psalm 118:8-9 (NIV)
Have you ever been faced with a decision that you were having trouble making? The kind of decision that you go back & forth on for days. When i have a decision like that i am lucky to have two wonderful people in my life -- my husband & my best friend -- that i know i can always turn to. They'll hear me out & probably give me the same answer. They would tell me to pray about it & to trust God. How smart are they?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on your own understanding."
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
The best thing you can do when faced with any decision, no matter how big or small, is to take your focus off making the right decision & put it on the source of all answers. No matter what you decide to do, the Lord will still take care of you & He will accomplish His purpose for you.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;
Your love, O Lord, endures forever."
Psalm 138:8a (NIV)
I remember when i started ifrogcrafts, i had dedicated my business to God. I worked hard at creating products... cutesy products with a few inspirational items. One night, Hubby & i were talking & i realized that i had about 95% cutesy items & only 5% inspirational items made. I had been making the wrong decisions on what to make. I was putting my focus on "what would sell" rather that on what would glorify God. So, i rededicated my business to God & asked Him to show me what to make to glorify Him & deliver His message. Below is the first sign that i made after that rededication.
Since then, i have had more ideas for inspirational products than i have time to make them. God is so good!
Whether you make the right decision or the wrong one, the Lord will be there walking with you, every step of the way, loving you & helping you. Take your decision to Him in prayer. Read the Bible. Then make the best decision you can. Sometimes the biggest decision is simply just to make one. Place your trust in Him & rest in the fact that He will meet you on whatever side of the decision you make.
"Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal me, who cannot save."
Psalm 146:3 (NIV)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
On Vacation
Hi all!
Just a note that i will be on vacation until June 17th. But will be back with a new post on the 18th. Thank you all for your support. {{{hugs}}} & prayers for each & every one of you.
Karalee
<><
Just a note that i will be on vacation until June 17th. But will be back with a new post on the 18th. Thank you all for your support. {{{hugs}}} & prayers for each & every one of you.
Karalee
<><
Monday, July 4, 2011
We Need God In America Again
With today being the 4th of July, i decided to go a little different way today. I heard this song yesterday & i t was so powerful, that i wanted to share it with everybody. So Happy Birthday America! You are in my prayers. Please take some time to watch this amazing video by Carman & please keep America in your prayers. <><
Monday, June 27, 2011
Are You Wearing the Right Shoes?
The right shoes are so important. Now, i'm not talking about fashion, although i will agree that the right shoes can make an outfit. =) I'm talking about the right shoes for other activities. The runner needs the right shoes so he/she can run as fast as possible. And if you're really into track & field, you know that cleats keep you from slipping & sliding when you try to throw the javelin. Some athletes dream of standing, during an awards ceremony with gold medals around their necks. To achieve this it takes talent & a lot of hard work. But there is a more valuable ornament than a gold medal.
"My son, preserve sound judgement & discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace you neck. They you will go on your way safely, & your foot will not stumble"
Proverbs 3:21-23 (NIV)
Sound judgement & discernment are the medals that we can earn when we walk in wisdom. It's true, money can take us places, but it can only take us so far. And money does provide a sense of security in providing a roof over our heads & food on our tables. But wisdom.....wisdom is the footwear we need to run the race of life that God has given us. Wisdom will help us make the journey from our earthly to our everlasting life.
"Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this; that, wisdom preserves the life of its possessor."
Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NIV)
God doesn't promise a flat road for us to walk or run on, but He does promise that when we walk in His wisdom, He'll give us solid footing -- no matter how smooth or steep & rocky the road is. That's the ultimate security! Money can't do that. And no matter what shoes we're wearing -- nursing shoes, work boots, high heels, or flip flops, we can walk securely. God equips us to follow Him through the Bible, through prayer, through His Spirit, & through other Christians. My mom planted a very strong seed of faith in my life. But she went to be with Jesus before i surrendered my life to Him. My aunt (Mom's sister) continued tending that seed through prayer, encouragement & being a living example. I see her as not only my aunt & my friend, but as a spiritual mentor also.
If you're not wearing the right spiritual shoes right now, a spiritual mentor can help you find the correct size & fit. Who in your life can coach you in the ways of wisdom through Jesus Christ? Ask God to lead you to that person today & to help you grow in His wisdom.
"....if you look for it as for silver & search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord & find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom & from His mouth comes knowledge & understanding."
Proverbs 2:4-6 (NIV)
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Mark of a Christian
Do you remember how Cinderella looked when she arrived at the ball? There were all of the whispers about who she was & how beautiful she was. Suppose Jesus said to you, "Let's give them something to talk about." Wouldn't it be wonderful if people would see the reality of Christ after being with you?
If we are honest with ourselves, we do care about what people think of how we look....at least some of the time. If that weren't the case, the diet & beauty industries wouldn't be so profitable. But what really matters is that we be a Godly person. Someone who possesses so much of Jesus in their heart that people believe He exists because He is so powerful in us. My husband often says, "Don't tell me you're a Christian. Show me you're a Christian." Imagine that you're in a room with other people - perhaps a business meeting setting, or something of that nature. When you leave the room, wouldn't it be awesome if the people would comment about building their relationship with Jesus because they see Him shining through you?
Do you know what the Bible says is the mark of a Christian? Our views on abortion or homosexuality? Or involvement in a Bible believing church? Our stance on salvation? No. Our convictions are important. But the mark of a Christian is love. When we can live a life of love, people do take notice. When we can overcome our differences of denominations, race, culture, etc. & truly love each other, non believers may think: "Maybe there really is something to this Christianity thing."
Jesus prayed for all of us before He was arrested:
Do you know what the Bible says is the mark of a Christian? Our views on abortion or homosexuality? Or involvement in a Bible believing church? Our stance on salvation? No. Our convictions are important. But the mark of a Christian is love. When we can live a life of love, people do take notice. When we can overcome our differences of denominations, race, culture, etc. & truly love each other, non believers may think: "Maybe there really is something to this Christianity thing."
Jesus prayed for all of us before He was arrested:
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. Father, just as you are in me & I am in You. may they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent me, that they may be in me as we are one: I am in them & you are in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me & have loved them even as You have loved me."
John 17:20-23 (NIV)
In The Mark Of A Christian, Francis Schaeffer explains that if we really love each other, the world is drawn to Christ. But if we don't the world dismisses us as just another club.
Love is the mark of a Christian because God is love.
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, & God in Him."
I John 4:16b (NIV)
It's one thing to make a pledge to the Lord in a single moment. It's another thing to truly make a lifelong commitment to Him, day after day, after day. But when you choose to live consistently in the love of God, then that love will be complete in you.
I understand that it can take time to know God's heart & to trust His goodness. It takes getting quiet in order to hear Him. It takes a child like trust to hold on to His hand. But once you have experienced His faithfulness, you will never want to let go & walk away. God's love does not mean freedom from trouble, but the knowledge that when trouble does come, God will not abandon nor betray us. His perfect love cast out fear because we know He is coming & that His love is here to stay.
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