The Greatest of Days (Salvation Anniversary Post)

 

Nineteen years ago today, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior and it truly was the best decision I have ever made.

The journey with Jesus by my side continues to be nothing short of incredible--the conquering of each obstacle, and every moment of joy has only been made possible through the power of His faithful presence in my story.

The last two years in particular have been wonderful--even though I am thankful for every moment I've known Him, I have just felt closer to Him since the completion of my Running Home stories for some reason, and I will always be thankful for the opportunity I was given to write them all.

To think I never even wanted to be a writer in the first place--choosing to answer His call and to follow His perfect plan for my life was the second best decision I could have made.

Blogging and storytelling has been a joy, and serving Him in that way provides so much purpose, and it's unfathomable that Molly's Zone will celebrate its eighth anniversary in September. The time flies when you're having fun!

I have always kept Romans 8:28 as my life verse, because it is always a personal reminder of God's continual and careful work behind the scenes--the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Every season has its purpose, and ALL circumstances can and will work together for your good and His glory.

Choosing to trust in and follow Christ will never steer you in the wrong direction--yield to His will and your heart will experience the greatest sense of peace it could ever know.

God has a wonderful purpose and a perfect plan for your life--all you need to do is trust Him. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 KJV)

What Are You Centering On?

What are your thoughts centered on today?

It's never too difficult to find a source of discouragement in the world we live in today; one quick glance at our phones or time spent watching the news can leave one feeling overwhelmed with the magnitude of it all.

While we aren't able to change the state of our surroundings, it IS possible to change the way we think and what we choose to dwell on.

Our thought processes are the main target that Satan chooses to attack, and knowing how to fight against his strategies is the key to victory.

The most powerful weapon one can have is the start of the day being spent in prayer. I have never been that much of a morning person, but every time I make the effort to spend that quiet time with the Lord, the rest of my day flows much easier.

My moods are better.
My outlook is better.

I have that much needed pep in my step.

I am kept in a state of perfect peace.

It is far too easy to find ourselves focusing on what may be wrong in our lives or worrying about things that we literally have zero control over. (I am super guilty of this...and I think we all are at some point!)

Mornings with the Lord are such a simple thing, but they truly make all the difference.
Doing so removes every bit of distraction and repositions the mind to focus on His goodness in our lives in spite of everything that the world continues to throw in our faces.

Keeping our minds focused on who He is will forever keep us resting in His perfect peace. 

I read something somewhere one time that said that fretting magnifies our problems, while prayer magnifies God and I am so glad that the Lord reminded me of that all last night and this morning as well, because it's both an encouraging and truthful thought.

So, what are your thoughts centered on today?

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

The Power in Choosing Joy

 Today I am choosing joy...

I love listening to music while I am tidying up the house and preparing to start my day. The word joy has been on my heart for several days and I couldn't help but remember a previous message that I wrote about choosing joy that was left unfinished, and I feel that now is the perfect time to share the rest of it all with you. 

Yesterday, I came across one song in particular that was named, "I Choose Joy", and for some reason, it truly resonated with my spirit. Struggles are coming in hot and heavy from every direction; so many families are struggling with endless sickness and strife. 

And the sheer craziness that continues to envelope our world is truly on another level (there's more to say on that some other time.)

Everything is so difficult to comprehend and the all-American dream of reaching the state of complete inner satisfaction just doesn't seem possible at this point.

Although happiness isn't always achievable, the joyful hope that can be experienced through trusting in the Lord has been made readily available. 

Life isn't always the greatest.

It just doesn't make much sense sometimes. 

You may be facing a mountain that seems impossible to climb, maybe you have questions that have been left without an answer.

Choosing joy doesn't promise a life free from struggle, but it DOES guarantee a way through every storm that comes in our direction.

You may never receive the answer you hoped for, and the mountain may not move as quickly as you need it to. 

Those two life truths are something we all know deep down, but struggle to live through. 

Patience is an honest struggle for so many, myself included. (more on that subject at a later time as well)

BUT...

Even if life doesn't work out the way we think it should, The Lord and His plans are always in play. His timing is so much greater than ours would ever be. 

Remember to be patient in all things; for God is always right by your side. 

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43:2 KJV)

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;" (Romans 12:12 KJV)