The Turning Point (9/11 Remembrance)

I never usually share thoughts on Wednesdays, but the Lord placed a brief, but important message on my heart for today that couldn't go without a mention and should never be far from the minds of not only Americans, but those around the world as well. 

September 11, 2001 was a day that no one will ever forget

I was nine years old and in the fourth grade. The morning started out just as it always would. 

The atmosphere of the day changed instantly. Fear of the unknown filled the hearts of many. 

I can still remember the school being placed on lockdown and classmates being whisked away  from school every few seconds as no one knew what was to come. 

It was truly the turning point of our nation. Nothing about life or the world we are living in is as it once was.

Today we are faced with yet another point collectively in our nation and in our world. 

Another time where we have no idea what is to come. 

We must keep our eyes on Jesus and seek His guidance in all that we face. We must turn from all wickedness in order for our world to see true revival and restoration. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus today, my friend. 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)

You Are Worth It to Jesus

 The Lord gave me a little something to share on this Wednesday mainly from my personal experience and for my own benefit, but someone else might need this today too. 

As I was growing up, I faced many challenges both physically and emotionally. I wasn't the most popular and I was always made to feel unworthy due to other life circumstances as well. By default, I became the overachiever with the underlying hope of proving my worth to those around me. (And maybe a little to myself too, okay a lot!) 

But now being older, I see that what I experienced wasn't all that unusual at all. This world is crazy, what it deems as acceptable and worthy of love changes by the minute and so many are left feeling as though they are worth nothing.

Even so, please know that through Christ's love, you are worth so much to Him. 

You may not be a somebody in this world, but you are somebody to Jesus.

That reminder came to me as I was in my kitchen this morning. We get caught up in doing so much with the wrong focus and we end up discouraged and defeated. (I know I have felt this way more times than I can count)

If you're saved, please remember the reminder above and keep it in your mind and in your heart. The next time you feel like nothing or that what you're doing for Him is meaningless, it's not. (Recycling a verse I heard on the Her Portion Podcast this morning, but I love it, and it put this thought on me in the first place.)

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9)

And if you're lost and without Christ, maybe you're feeling as though life just sucks and that nobody cares. Or maybe you have all the prestige but deep down still you're longing for something more. 

You mean so much to Jesus, too.

He thought YOU were worth dying for. 

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

Running The Race (Molly's Zone 9th Anniversary)

September 1st will always be one of my most memorable days and I cannot begin the month without praising the Lord for all that He has done and continues to do in my life.

Nine years ago on this day was the starting point of what I can only describe as one incredible journey. Writing for the Lord was never something I imagined as part of my story.

But, I am oh so thankful for His perfect will for my life, because it is truly beautiful and so much better than any best-made plan I could have made for myself.

I still find joy in serving the Lord through my little blog and I love that He cares about it just as much as I do. Every word I write is His, every story I build comes from Him, and all the glory belongs to Him.

Though my body is now a little older and cerebral palsy grows more challenging with each passing day, I am thankful for the continual strength He gives both physically and spiritually.

I could do nothing without Jesus, and I love Him with all of my heart. No matter how much life may throw my way, I vow to stay faithful in running the race He has set before me.

I want to end today's post by including one of my favorite verses that references the power and strength that only Christ can give. He is SO good! 

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

 

Confidence In His Work

 

Romans 8:28 is one verse that I have always considered as my life verse, though I'm also including Phillipians 1:6 as it is foundation of my message for today.

I have been thinking a lot about one of my worst qualities and I couldn't help but wonder how many of us are truly like this? Probably all at some point in our lives if we were truly honest.

I'm the worst at looking at a circumstance I'm either not entirely comfortable with or just flat out don't like with what I call "the small picture" perspective. In the past, I've initially said no to some of my greatest blessings...dragging my feet while internally kicking and screaming and just throwing a fit all because I wasn't entirely comfortable with what was going on or I didn't like what little bit I could see.

I still struggle with it at times, and I'm sure someone else still deals with it too. 

Friend, whatever you're able to see right now may not look promising. You may wonder how it's all going to turn out. It's easy to get upset when all we can see is a small picture.

But God sees the big picture of it all. He sees the finish line, and He is continually at work behind the scenes.

You may not be confident of a lot of things. There's not a sure thing in this world to lean on.

But you can be sure of one thing:

He will never quit on you.
He is always for you.
He is still working on you. 

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Phillipians 1:6 KJV)

The Love of Money vs. The Love of God

 

It will always be better to have a little bit with Jesus than a whole lot without Him. 

Friend, there's nothing in this world worth more than a personal relationship with Jesus, and certainly nothing more precious. Living requires money and yes, it IS a blessing when it helps to meet our needs, but no material possession is sweeter than knowing and following Jesus. Nothing fills up us more than than trusting in and leaning on Him, and nothing else ever will. 

It's easy to become consumed with the love of money, but it's always better to be swept away by the love of Jesus. It provides such sweet contentment, while the love of money always leaves room for complaint. 

Just want to share a few verses with you today:

"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." (Proverbs 16: 8-9)

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  (1 Timothy 6:10)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6-7)

Be Aware of The Pitfalls

    I think we could all come to the collective agreement that the times we are experiencing are truly unprecedented. Everything about our world has grown to be strangely unfamiliar. The unbelievable change in the hearts of some humans continually renders me speechless---the inherent respect for authority and the regard for wisdom have been lost amongst this generation.

    My adjective of choice when describing the crumbling state of our society will forever be 'endangered' because we are living through dangerous circumstances that are ever-changing---there are three core pitfalls that have continually plagued humanity throughout the ages, yet each have grown to be more noticeable in a rather short amount of time---the spirit of entitlement, the presence of distraction and overwhelming confusion will be at the heart of my message today. 

The word 'pitfall' was placed on my heart during a recent Sunday morning ride to church. As I was glancing out the passenger side window, a vehicle had somehow fallen into a ditch. The person was on their phone calling for help and two people were standing in their front yard watching---I'm sure wondering what all the commotion was about.

Mom and I concluded that the person must have been distracted while driving that morning--perhaps texting on their phone as many people do even though they shouldn't. Other times while on the road, I've witnessed someone deliberately using the wrong lane to make a turn and cringed at the obvious confusion of those behind the wheel while at a stoplight.

These are all blatant examples of the aforementioned pitfalls that we can all easily fall into if careful vigilance is not applied to our lives daily--- however, this message is specifically for those who have never accepted Christ.

 I want to spend the rest of today diving deep into the definitions of all three pitfalls while providing an applicable thought on each of them. The remainder of the message won't waste any more time--and my prayer is that it will be helpful to whoever reads this today.

• The Spirit of Entitlement:  I've never before witnessed another time of such entitlement within our world; so many are choosing to live solely for themselves---behaving with selfish intent all while disregarding any presence of rule or order; have you ever personally met someone who lived as though they knew it all? An awful lot of people are making decisions before consulting the One who truly knows all. This particular point is such an important lesson to hold onto. Walking around with a haughty spirit is never wise.  Live humbly and trust in the Lord to direct your path. He knows what's best for you. 

          "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18 KJV) 

            "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." (Proverbs 16:9 KJV)

• The Presence of  Distraction:  Another pitfall that is well worth mentioning is the presence of distraction that so easily presents itself when we least expect it. I could write SO much on this one point---distraction is truly everywhere you look, in every direction. Our minds should stay on all things eternal---especially if you're lost, it's important to think about your eternal place of residence and to seek the Lord while He may be found. You should never allow the temporary pleasures of this world to keep you from knowing and experiencing the wonderful peace that only He can provide.

            "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:25-27 KJV)

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV) 

• The Overwhelming Confusion: We are living through a time of such overwhelming confusion; one cannot watch the news reports without questioning every aspect. Could we really trust that the world will be honest with us? What is the truth and where can we find it? The truth will forever come through God's perfect Word. There's no greater wisdom to be found; God is NOT the author of confusion. His Word will forever be a light amid overwhelming darkness; the greatest source of peace through tribulation.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1st Corinthians 14:33 KJV) 

        There's SO much more on my heart to write as part of this message, but I will simply end it all by inviting you to allow Christ into your life if you've never accepted Him as your Savior. 

Maybe you've fallen into a ditch and desperately need a helpful hand to pull you out of the pit. You can always count on Jesus; all you need to do is call upon His name.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13 KJV)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9 KJV)

    

A Shareworthy Thought

 

I have written and shared countless messages surrounding the following thought; as it has been placed on my heart to share yet again, I will never pass up an opportunity to do so.

I will always love sharing this part of my testimony. It has forever given me the greatest joy.

As a teenager, I was always someone whose greatest desire was to feel love and acceptance from those around me, namely peers within my own age group. I fiercely held this belief that being classified as different was somehow not okay. Those years of my life were truly devastating and it was more than difficult to see the reasoning for it all. 

Anybody who was anybody in school never wanted much to do with me. I was known as "the smart kid with a disability" and that's seemingly all I had going for me at the time.

As I continue to grow older, I am able to look back and see so much of the Lord's divine protection through circumstances that were incredibly painful.

From the beginning, I was separated and set apart for His glory. I missed out on so much that could have wrecked me, and I couldn't even see it at the time.

I share all of this again to reiterate that we are living amongst dangerous days. The prideful presence of sin continues to be welcomed and encouraged....the theme of the all new and upcoming generation that we are witnessing reaches far beyond the search for love and acceptance. There will never be enough words to describe the darkness that exudes from most of today's youth.

May you never feel ashamed to stand out and away from the crowd; it will never be wrong to live a life separated and set apart by God. You may seem strange or unusual to some, but that's perfectly okay. Just keep on keepin' on.

Sometimes what feels like the most painful rejection could actually be His divine protection. 

And if you've never trusted Christ as your Savior, I encourage you to allow Jesus into your heart tonight. You need to know that the path you're currently traveling on will wreck you in ways you never thought were possible.

Choosing to follow Him is the greatest decision one could ever make. 

Forgiving And Forgetting

Everything starts in the home ❤️

Sunday morning messages in church have recently revolved around the definition of family and the importance of building and keeping a solid foundation of faith within the home; that first sentence carries so much significance because it holds SO much truth---the home is at the heart of everything: it serves as a place of rest for the weary soul, a source of refuge throughout personal seasons of trouble, and an escape that provides freedom from the division and deception that holds an unrelenting presence in our world today. 

The phrase "forgiving and forgetting" came upon my heart recently through listening to these messages---brokenness effects countless families today as a result of bitterness and unforgiveness that resides within the heart.

It's never healthy to hold grudges against someone you love. We are living in such unprecedented and uncertain days; the most perfect time for all of us to forgive and to forget. 

The act of forgiveness can sometimes seem impossible--heartbreak and betrayal certainly hurts and the ache lasts for quite a while. 

Extending true forgiveness to someone comes from realizing the severity of our own sins---humans tend to judge the wrongs committed towards them with a self-determined point value system. 

(I have been super guilty of this as well!)

We think "They did such and such, but I would never do that!"

My friend, all sin is equal in the eyes of God; no matter the severity. Choosing not to forgive even the tiniest of offenses will only keep you in the spirit of bitterness. 

Forgiveness is meant for YOU. It's purpose is to provide peace. Forgetting doesn't excuse the wrong, it simply means you shouldn't think about it anymore. Give it to the Lord and let it go.

May you remember all that Christ has forgiven and forgotten in your own lifetime; may you never allow the past to stop you from pressing on for Christ.

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32)

"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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:13-14)

A Quick Word On Division And Deception

 

I have waited some time to share my thoughts on what occurred this past weekend. I have never before witnessed another time filled with such evident division and deception; in my opinion, this is no longer about political affiliation, but rather a raging war against the looming presence of evil that not only involves our country...we are in deep trouble from a global standpoint as well.

I truly believe that the greatest hope we have within this lost and dying world is found through leaning on Jesus Christ; whatever decisions we make, we must place our faith in Him, fully trusting in the power of His wisdom and guidance.

Please pray for America. Pray for our world. We all stand in desperate need for revival and resolution.

 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)

What Your Heart Needs

God's Word will never fail to provide you with what your heart truly needs. 

The world has grown to be such an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place to be. The cost of living continues to climb, becoming more expensive with each passing day. 

(The price of groceries is truly insane!) 

My mother and I originally decided to cut back on our spending when it came to our food supply as were innocently trying to save some money. (Because what else isn't costly these days?) 

We have since abandoned that particular strategy as it was causing SO many problems for us both---vitamin deficiencies that made our bodies weak and our minds unhealthy. 

Even in the midst of so much wordly turmoil, I am immensely thankful that God faithfully provides whatever we need whenever we may need it. 

While it's always important to protect your physical body from becoming undernourished, both your heart and mind are continuously and desperately in need of nourishment from God's Word every single day. 

Oh how dangerously easy it is to think we can get by with only eating once a day or skipping meals entirely. 

Sadly, it's also easy to view our time with the Lord in that way too if we aren't careful. 

Any time spent with the Lord whether it be through prayer or Bible study remains SUPER important for our lives on a daily, yet it's common to want to push it aside without taking into consideration the harm it will cause. 

Simply because we're in a rush to tackle our to do list, or we're having a day where we feel okay, so we think we don't need Him. 

That way of thinking will end up costing you every ounce of everything good He has ever given you---robbing your soul of its peace, joy, and hope. 

You'll end up half-dead spiritually speaking and that's never worth the time you think you're saving. Nothing is more valuable than time that is spent with the Lord. 

Whether it is just to acknowledge Him in praise for just a little while, to ask Him for help, or to take the time to sit down and do a deep study of His Word----whatever time you spend will be worth it! 

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22 KJV) 

Let Jesus Take The Wheel

 

Have you ever reached a point in life where every aspect of your existence felt out of control? 

I can still remember my first (and only) attempt at driving a vehicle. I had just celebrated my sixteenth birthday and the level of excitement I felt was indescribable. I couldn't foresee the challenge that was ahead of me; even through what turned out to be a frightening situation, the Lord taught me a valuable lesson that I know I will never forget....even though as humans, this particular struggle is still real for all of us. 

After a few times of practicing on the local high school parking lot, I decided that I wanted to try driving on the road, even though I was still not the greatest when it came to steering the vehicle. I felt ready to try. I drove up to the intersection and as the light went from red to green, it was my turn to begin driving down the road. 

The first few moments went surprisingly well...but the sights and sounds of the cars surrounding me threw my body into full blown panic attack mode. Within minutes, I could no longer hear my mother calling my name. To this day, all I can recall is beginning to hyperventilate and my mother reacting quickly, grabbing the wheel from the passenger seat, and somehow leading us to safety. 

Have you ever tried to take on a situation all on your own even though it was something that you knew you wouldn't be able to handle?

Maybe you're in a place where everything that surrounds you feels overwhelming. It's way too easy to think that we have the ability to handle all that life throws at us on our own; when the tough really gets going, it's even easier to find ourselves panicking and becoming painfully unaware of the Lord and His presence. 

Friend, it's important to remember that Jesus is and will remain ever-present through every single panicky moment you face. Your circumstance may have you thinking you're alone in fighting the battle; the season of trial that you're traveling through may have left you at a complete loss.

Please know that the Lord will forever stand by your side. You're never alone and He will never fail to somehow pull you into safety when you least expect it. That's just who He is. 

 Let Jesus take the wheel.

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9 KJV)