Bible Challenge (Psalm 37:23-24, Philippians 3:13-14)

"23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

"24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." 

- Psalm 37:23-24

"13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

"14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 

- Philippians 3:13-14

Knowing that God will always pick me up when I fall should strengthen my walk with Him in that I should not look back on the falling and failures of yesterday, but keep my focus forward and on the Lord Jesus Christ. When I focus on my failures of the past, I only hinder my walk in the present . Am I faithful to forget and keep my eyes forward?

Bible Challenge (Psalm 31:24)

"Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." 

- Psalm 31:24

Courage is a demonstration of an act of will contrary to what I am feeling. It is God's desire that I demonstrate courage in following Him. As emotions, temptations, and trials come up, He has promised to strengthen my heart and make my menial courage a beacon of strength in Christ Jesus.a

Bible Challenge (Philippians 3:13, Psalm 30:5b)

 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before," 

- Philippians 3:13

"weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." - Psalm 30:5b

Just as God removes my sin as far as the east is from the west to remember them no more, so should I let go of the fallings, failures, and faithlessness of today, focusing only on how He will empower me to victory for tomorrow.

Bible Challenge (Psalm 25:12)

"What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose." - Psalm 25:12

Do I fear God? Am I giving Him the reverential awe due Him and His Word? If this is my pursuit and goal, I can rest assured that He will continually teach me and lead me in His will. (Even if it is not in my timing!) :-D

Bible Challenge (Psalm 19:7-11)

"7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."

Psalm 19:7-11

If I am diligent to delve into God's Word, God will use it to convict me, simplify my understanding, give me joy, enlighten my countenance, warn me against evil, and in obeying it, God will grant such rewards as only He can. Am I lacking in any of these areas? How diligent am I in God's Word right now?

Bible Challenge (James 4:1)

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" - James 4:1

When I am having a difficult time with anger, or getting along with my family, it is time for a heart check. What am I doing, thinking, or feeling that is not of God?

Business No Excuse....

Hello Everyone!

I know that I have been pretty scarce of late, and I apologize for allowing myself to get so wrapped up with school that I have not been posting my verses! By God's grace, my priorities are hopefully straightened out, and school will not be all-consuming!

By way of update, I started college this August, and it has been quite the experience! I always thought that I would never go to college, that I would just stay at home until the Lord brought a husband my way, and then I would be a keeper at home and a help-meet for my spouse, supporting him in whatever work the Lord directed him in. This summer, however, the Lord opened wide every possible door, and I followed Him to the college campus with a working goal of Agricultural Informative Science.

Even though I am in college now, I am following God one day at a time, and one semester at a time. If it is His will for me to go completely through college, then praise His name! If not, it is because He has something even better for me!

I really struggled the first few weeks with old temptations, priorities, and having temptations to be something I'm not. I guess "peer pressure" (sounds ridiculous when everyone is years younger than I am!) and a spirit of independence started to actually work on me! In the back of my mind, I knew God wasn't in complete control of my life, and I began to feel the tension and stress.

I finally had to give up what I thought I wanted, and fully yield once more to following the plans God has for me in my life. Since then it has seemed like I am running a marathon of temptations and frustrations to try and get me off that path, but through Christ's strength, I know He can and will help me to continue on this road of victory in Jesus! I'd appreciate your prayers as I continue to strive to follow Him in EVERY area of my life.

I think that one of the reasons the struggles are so difficult is because I know God also led me to college specifically to grow in the area of witnessing. He has been teaching me a lot this summer, and He blessed me with college as a mission field. Please pray that I would have the boldness to speak up, and the discretion to know when to simply be a silent witness.

Thank you all for your love and prayers! Have a blessed day in our Lord!

Bible Challenge (1 John 3:5-6)

"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." - 1 John 3:5-6

When I sin, I revert back to acting through the sinfulness of my flesh. It is when I am acting through my born-again state that I do not sin. 

Bible Challenge (Psalm 1:2-3)

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." 

- Psalm 1:2-3

Just as the tree draws the very essence of its life from the rivers of waters, it is God's desire that His Word be the Living Water that flows through the veins of my entire being. God's desire is that I become so dependent on His Word, that apart from it I cannot survive. Am I praying for a hunger and thirst for His Word? Do I drink from His Word daily and live my every minute being quenched and refreshed and urged to grow through meditating on His truths?