All or Nothing

 

All or nothing.

There is no in between; no fence riding, lukewarm isn’t an option.

I wholeheartedly want to serve God.

 

I want to live my life according to His word and not just the parts that suit me.

Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. “

To be transformed and renewed; by the very definition, means to be changed dramatically and to begin again. Living according to God’s word requires us to change, it requires a new birth.

Our hearts change. Our thoughts change. Our desires change.

From the inside out we are renewed and given a new beginning. In our fresh start, we are to “walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.” We are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:13-14  We must entirely belong to the Lord and not allow our flesh to lead us to sinful actions.

Living according to God’s word, doesn’t start and stop at the 10 Commandments. Any reasonable person, whether they know God or not, can uphold the 10 Commandments. This is just a beginning, a scratch on the surface.

Wholeheartedly I want to serve God; in my marriage, as a mother, in the church, in the work place and in my friendships.

God’s word provides instruction for all aspects of our life. As a wife, I am meant to be submissive. I am to love my husband, respect him, and build him up. I should be his treasure and blessing.  As a mother, I am to dedicate my children to the Lord and bring them up knowing His ways; I am, also, to be a blessing to my children. In the church, work place, friendships; I am to be an example of God’s grace and love.  “As long as I am in the world, I am to be the light of the world.” John 9:5

The more roles (wife, mother, friend, ect) we take on the more we must set aside our personal desires and seek God’s word and will for our lives. With each role, a little more is required.  We can’t pick and chose what we like, what is comfortable.  Living for God is about stepping out of our comfort zone and serving Him and others even when it is difficult. It is when we are willing to go to these places that we find peace, blessings, grace and purpose for our lives.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better then himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and become obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:3-8

 I can’t say I am living according to the Gospel if I am doing nothing for others, if I think only of myself. I can’t pick out the parts that are simple and comfortable.  It is ALL or nothing.

Wholeheartedly, I want to serve God. I will be a servant.
His servant.

In Him Alone

He is always with me, He never fails me,

His love is perfect,

His omniscient presence is all I need

 As I spiritually mature, these truths become beautifully clear.  The more I trust in these truths, the more He satisfies me. I have come to the realization that I am only complete when I am fully seeking the Lord and trusting Him to fulfill and satisfy me.

I have spent much of my life looking elsewhere for my comfort. I tried friends, my family and relationships but they always fell short. I was always let down.

I know now that God stripped me of all those relationships to lead me to Him.  He wanted me to know that He was the one I needed to run to, He was the one I needed to rely on and trust with my heart. After all:

He was enough when I felt lost as a child.
He was enough when I struggled through broken friendships and relationships.
He was enough when I felt alone and confused with my place in the world.
He was enough when I became a mother, sooner than I planned.
He was enough when my marriage fell apart.
He was enough when I was involved in a life changing accident.
He was enough when my finances became a mess because of my divorce.
He was enough when I was a lonely and lost mother of three.
                                                                                                             
Selfishly it was in these hard times that I would cry out to Him. Regardless, he would answer, providing me comfort and peace. He filled my lonely heart and allowed me to feel whole again. Graciously, as I began to put my full trust and faith in Him, he placed people in my life that truly encourage me and lead me in His direction. In his perfect plan, He led me to a man of God, my husband.

It is now, as a married woman in a Godly relationship that I clearly understand the valuable lessons He wanted me to know. Loving my husband is only possible because of His love for me. As amazing as my God given marriage is, my husband can never completely satisfy me the way Jesus can. He isn’t supposed to.  I cannot look to my husband for completeness, nor can he look at me to complete him.

We have been tested in our marriage; five miscarriages in two years, it hasn’t been easy. I learned that my husband could not properly comfort me in my pain. He could not piece my heart back together when it was most broken. He could not heal me. It was when I was most humbled and low and crying out to the Lord, asking and trusting in Him that I was once again made whole. I am thankful for my trials; for it is in them I feel His presence the most. He is “the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in” Him. (Psalm 62:7)

Without a doubt, He, alone, is enough and satisfies my soul. “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5
                                                                      
Regardless of your current relationship status (single, dating, married…) it is important to know that for any relationship to be successful, you must look to the Lord first. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” Deuteronomy 6:5-6
The butterflies and giddiness wear off, but His unconditional love never ceases. It can be difficult to pursue an intimate relationship with God, regardless of your status. When you are single, you spend so much time focusing on finding someone; when you are married much of your time is consumed by your children and/or husband. I am confident you will have the most successful relationships when God is at the center and you look to Him to provide your needs and to fully satisfy your soul.

He is always with you, He will never fail you,

His love is perfect,

His omniscient presence is all you need

“Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it all together. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. “Psalm 139:2-8

Let us rejoice in His perfect love and find comfort in Him alone!

Leap of Faith

The hardest part of making this first post is where and how to start. I have deleted more key strokes than have kept. So, as of now, I am keeping whatever it is that flows out of my finger tips onto the keyboard…no looking back, no re-reading, no glamorous edits. The funny thing is, I think we all have those moments; whether we are just getting to know Christ or building from a strong foundation, it is often most uncomfortable when we are getting started and/or pursuing more. It is in our nature to look back and don’t we all wish we could go back and “delete” every once” in a while?

I am restrained, most, by uncertainty. How will this work out? Will anyone take the time to read it? I continue with 1 Samuel 12:24 on my heart. “Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”

 With that said, I am placing  this “blog” entirely in God’s hands, let His will be done. It is my prayer that I can use this as a vessel of encouragement and to glorify His good works, not just in my life but in His word, as well. May it touch those in need, those who are hurting and feeling alone; may it continuously uplift those who are walking in His grace and mercy.   “…It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

 I hope to remain true and real as I share my life, my trials and my blessings. “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” Psalm 119:46

 I look forward to your feedback and comments, I don’t want it to be all about me and my walk but yours too!