Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of for me," Philippians 3:12 NKJV.

What are you racing for? Everyone is running a race of some kind, trying to achieve this, that, or the other... What are you racing for? Money, position, power...these all seem to be the motivators, yet why? When our last breaths are taken and we close our eyes for the last time, what is going to matter? 

What matters is where your heart is and where you stored your treasures. Did you know Jesus in life? Did you live to serve and tell others about what He did in your life? Did you share the message of hope and salvation that can only be found in Him? 

I have a message of hope for you today if you can't answer affirmatively. Surrender your life to Him. Ask Him to forgive your sins and make you whole. Give your all to The Lord and go tell someone that He loves you and He loves them too. Don't worry about whether they will accept Him or not. He doesn't ask us to save, only to share Him with others. We are not perfect, but anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus has a perfect Father in heaven who loves and cares more than anyone you will ever find on this earth.

Won't you accept His gift of salvation today so that you will know, without a doubt that one day, you will see Jesus face to face? May The Lord bless you and keep you as you share His grace today.

Jesus is Calling

How ironic that the King of kings and Lord of lords would come to us  and be slain to give us eternal life (John 3:16)! Jesus was born in a humble and lowly stable (Luke 2:7) and lived a life without a house or place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). He walked the dusty trails of this earth seeking out those who would be obedient to His call to follow Him. Simply follow Him in obedience.

That call has not changed in the years since His death, resurrection, and ascension. The Lord we serve is alive and desires for you to give up your life and follow Him in obedience (Luke 9:23). He may ask something difficult  of you, He may give you simple directions whatever it is, Jesus is calling. Are you listening and answering in obedience?

This week I have been drawn to the Lord in awe and wonder at the thought of all He must have endured and I find myself wondering how He could love humanity so much when we fall short in so many ways. However, this is the reality of the One and Only true Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loves us so much that He spread His arms open wide and accepted a pain, cruel, tortuous death to save sinners from an eternity of torment and suffering. He loves you so much that if He had died just for you, He still would have done it.

Let's not forget the beauty of Jesus' death. The truth is that death could not hold Him and the grave could not keep Him. He rose, defeating death and the grave so that all who come after Him, believing in Him will be granted eternal life in His presence. I am simply a sinner, saved by grace. I don't deserve it, but am so thankful for His saving grace. If you are reading this and don't know Jesus, just ask Him in your life. Pray and ask Him to forgive your sins, believe that He is the One true God, and give your life to Him. Allow Jesus to direct your steps. He alone is worthy, He alone can give you beauty for ashes. He alone has the victory over sin and death. He is a gentleman and will wait for you. All you need to do is take one small step toward Him and He will move heaven and earth to get to you. He loves you dear one, with a love that is overflowing and unending. Won't you trust in Him?

Safe in the Shepherd's Arms

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1 NKJV

This week I have been memorizing Psalm 23. In my time memorizing, I have also been meditating on the significance of this verse. Sheep are not self-sufficent. They are helpless and in need of someone to tend, care for, and protect them. For them to be safe and secure, they need a shepherd. We are no different.

We are in need of a Helper. Someone who gets us. Someone who loves us unconditionally. Someone who is there for us no matter the situation or circumstance. Being human, we are flawed. As much as we may want to be self-sufficient, we are all in need of a Savior (Shepherd) who is there for us and knows our needs before we ask (Matthew 6:8).

Please don't misinterpret this passage of Scripture. It does not guarantee we will be exempt from hard times or difficult circumstances. It also does not mean that we will be given everything we want.

I encourage you to read the rest of this Psalm. I think you will find-as I have-your rest will be found in Him. Trust your life in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus as your personal Savior. Allow Him to be your Shepherd.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Natalie

Spring Forth

Easter is coming. This is a time of preparation and reflection. Our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, gave His all for each of us: that is why we celebrate. It has nothing to do with Easter bunnies or egg hunts. What does it mean to you?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and

that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation

ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV)

What great hope we have, thanks be to Jesus and the work done on the cross those many years ago. This world is filled with things. There are homes, cars, tvs, cell phones, computers, e-readers, video games, movies, purses, shoes, golf clubs, food, and I could list every moment for every day for the next year and not even scratch the surface of what is available. The only problem is that no matter what phone, computer, purse, or car you get, there will be a new and better one available tomorrrow. The insatiable lust of the flesh tells us it will never be enough, big enough or good enough. We want more, More, MORE.

The promise that comes with this Scripture fills my soul and grants me peace to be content with the wonderful "things" I am blessed with (for the most part). Our true treasures are not on this earth, nor are they seen, but they are stored in heaven with the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. Our inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled and will not fade away... Praise You Jesus!

This life is not all we have. This is a training ground for better things coming. This is a time to prepare ourselves to meet our Savior "face-to-face". My question is this: Are you ready? Is your heart focused on things of this world, or on the Savior of this world? Are you ready to meet Him and answer His questions? Have you given Him all of yourself, your possessions, your everything?

If you take time to read the Scriptures this Easter season, I urge you to read the accounts in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, from the Last supper through the Resurrection. Read it prayerfully, asking God to reveal the truth to your heart, softening it so you may hear His voice, then for the courage to obey Him. It can be scary because none of us know what He will call us to. However, we have the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). What more do we need?

Praying you will find hope and rest in Jesus Christ beginning today.

Natalie



Living Faith

Faith: what does it mean? Does it mean trust, belief or hope? Faith is each of these and all of these. Faith is like a muscle; it grows and develops the more it is stressed and stretched.

We can put our faith in many things. Some put their faith in their money and think, "If I have enough money, I will never want for anything. Then I will truly be happy." Some put their faith in people thinking, "So and so will never let me down," only to find out that their faith has been misplaced. Some will put their faith in the status they hold thinking, "If I become a big-time star or get that new position at work, then I can stop worrying and really be happy." I could go on and I'm sure you can think of some yourself. However, money gets spent, people mess up and the higher your pedestal, the further you have to fall.

Any time we put our faith anywhere other than in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we are headed for a fall. We will be hurt and disappointed. Sometimes it may feel like the pain will never go away and the hurt can never be repaired. Some of you may be saying, "I've put my faith in Him before and it didn't work for me. What makes this time any different? Why should I believe this?

To begin with, putting your full faith in Him means putting your wants and wishes aside. It means letting go of your hopes and dreams and beginning with a clean heart and mind, focused on His will for your life. Psalm 139 tells us that God created each one of us "one stitch at a time." He created us with a plan and a purpose (Jeremiah  29:11). If we are praying for what we want without knowing what His plan is for us, we are praying in vain. However, when we can lay aside our selfish desires and focus on the One who knows us most intimately, then we can begin to live up to our full potential and be filled with joy that is not dependant on the circumstances that are our lives.

Will you let go? Will you submit your life to the Father? Will you look to Jesus to leads you by the power of the Holy Spirit so you may have life to the full as it is intended to be (John 10:10)? If you are ready, seek the Lord and pray. Take the time and ask Him to forgive you for trying to do it your own way. Thank Him for your life and pray that He will reveal His plan to you for your life. Have faith in the promise that He has created you for a plan and a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11) and wait on the Lord to reveal the truth to you. May He bless you abundantly for your obedience.

In Him,
Natalie

Giving it All to God

Have you ever dreamed of living a life without stress that zaps you? Do you want to be free from fear and anxiety? Is it possible in this world we live in? When your burdens become heavy and your stress too much, where do you turn? Is there anywhere, does anyone care? Have any of these questions plagued you? Are you seeking deeper meaning and wanting more peace, joy and rest in your life? If you are, look to the Lord. Admit to Jesus Christ that you are a sinner , believe that He gave His life for you, and commit your life to Him. (For more details, see my post "The Greatest Promise".)He will satisfy all your needs, over and above anything you can imagine. Just look at the Scriptures that promises you these things. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved," John 3:16-17 (NKJV). (Jesus is speaking)"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10 (NKJV). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast," Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV). "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV). This is just a small taste of what promises are contained within the pages of the Bible. We do not need to carry burdens, worries, fear or frustration. Take some time even now and pray that Jesus Christ will free you from the bondage of these negative emotions, give it all to Him and live life in freedom. With blessings, Natalie

If Peace is a Promise – Why am I Worried?

Peace is a strange thing. We desire it, we want it, we strive for it, yet it can be elusive. Why? Maybe we are trying too hard. Jesus’ peace is a promise He made over 2000 years ago. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” (John 14:27). Jesus left His peace with everyone who would choose to become one of His children. Many times we spend our days striving to “find” peace, when it is right there for us to grab hold of. Peace is a free gift God holds out to you. It is like the most beautiful gift, wrapped in shiny gorgeous paper, with ribbons and bows flowing from it. He holds it out to you right now, even in this very moment. Like every gift the Master holds out to us, we must be active in our acceptance. Accepting the gifts He has means taking them, unwrapping, and using them. What good would a birthday or Christmas gift be if you took it home and put it on a shelf unopened? Even if it was a book with the answers to all of your questions, or all the money you could ever want or need, it would not do you one bit of good unless you opened it and used it. Each day is new, filled with promises and hope. Reach out to Jesus, accept His gift of salvation and all the promises He has for you. Do not make the mistake I did and think that everything would be perfect without trouble or glitches. Realize that Christians also have trouble, yet we can have “peace that surpasses all understanding” when our hope and focus is on Him. Give Him control of your life and trust that He wants more and better for you than you can possibly think of or hope for. It is not easy to relinquish control, yet it is possible. What is peace to you? Have you ever really thought about your expectations? What would a peaceful life look like to you? Seek the will of Jesus for your life, keeping your focus on Him and He will fill you with His peace in all circumstances.

A New Life

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT This promise is not to be taken lightly. It is filled with hope. This Scripture verse tells us that we are made a new creation in Christ. We are no longer the person we once were. We can live victorious lives because, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Are you stalled in the past? Do you feel controlled by your past? Does it seem like you wear your past on your sleeve for the whole world to see? Then this promise is for you! You do not have to believe the lies of the enemy that says you will never be any different or that you are a loser (or a whole range of other lies). You have a promise of a new life and hope in Jesus Christ. Every single person has a past. There are things in your past that you could not control. There are things in your past you could have chosen to do differently. There are things you may wish you could forget. Choosing right now, in this moment, to live for Christ and asking for and accepting His gift of forgiveness for your mistakes and believing Him, gives you a new life. You can rejoice in the fact that you are a changed, new person. Can you commit your life into His capable, nail-scarred hands? Can you allow Jesus to heal the wounds of the past, whether they are self-inflicted or inflicted at the hands of someone else? Can you allow Jesus to come into your life and make you whole? Your new life will not be perfect. Don’t think of this as a miracle-cure or a cure that will happen in a moment in time. It may take many times of giving your hurts to the Lord, before you feel the pain recede. But, it can and will happen when you give it all to Him. Jesus told us that there will be times of trouble, but we needn’t be afraid because He is with us. When we give our lives to Him, we can call on Him anytime and He hears our prayers. One of my favorite promises is Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (NKJV). And He doesn’t. He is there in all ways, always. One important fact to realize is that our relationship with Him is active and living. It is not a one-sided deal where He gives and gives and we take and take. We need to spend time in His presence, speaking and listening for His still, small voice that speaks to our hearts. He may also use our circumstances and the Christian people around us, but rest assured He will speak. Don’t allow your past dictate your future. Everyone has “skeletons” in their closet – so to speak. Accept the promise of a new life in Jesus Christ, give your heart to Him, believe that He loves you and wants better for you than you can imagine, then commit your life to living for Him. Seek His will and direction for your life and live in His promises. He is waiting for you to call out to Him.

Hope

Promises are something we do not take very seriously anymore. Watching T.V. we see advertisements promising miracle products one after another. We read promises for weight-loss and hair removal products that work wonders. If you are like me, you may believe that maybe this time, maybe this is the product that will work. Many times I have tried advertised products, and many times I have been disappointed.

There is hope though. The best-selling book of all times has the answer. Jesus Christ makes promises and keep them. He is the One we can look to and know that His promises will not fail. We can have faith in Him and everything He says. He is honest and trustworthy. He will always be there, unchanging and approachable. He promises us in the Bible that we will have tribulation and trials, yet He will be near us. He explains that He is the same today, yesterday and forever. He also tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

There are times in life when we feel all alone. There are circumstances that seem to be too heavy for us to bear. Taking time to focus on Jesus, remembering what He went through because He loves us will help get us through. Know His love is bigger than all the problems of this world and pray with an open heart to recieve His promises. If we will pray, seeking what He wants us to learn from each experience, we will draw nearer to Him and develop a closer and deeper relationship to Him. This is where we all need to be. In the center of His will, held close by the Master.