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)