A Heart of Honesty

 We are now in the final week of September & I honestly have no idea where the time is going.

While the month of August was a little quiet on the blog, I had it on my heart to make September all about writing on the word "purpose"

September ended up traveling in a completely different direction, but Colossians 3:23-24 has never left me, so I thought today would be the perfect time to share a thought on it. 

Everyone knows that Molly's Zone reached the 10 year milestone on September 1st and I can honestly that writing for the Lord continues to give me SO much joy. I love it & could never imagine doing anything else with the life that God gave me. 

For every ounce of tribulation, I have known even greater joy. And the Lord taught me something this year just through experiencing the healing of an age-old belief (or wound) that I had held onto since childhood. 

I never write about it a lot but I know that others with disabilities may have dealt or may be dealing with this in their lives. 

For me, I think that having cerebral palsy is what made me become an overachiever in all that I accomplished or attempted to accomplish. You never feel as though your good enough or that you do enough. That's tough for any kid. 

Even as my journey of writing for the Lord began as an adult, I still battled with this very same attitude. It would leave me frustrated and discouraged. There are times that I truly felt like giving it up and throwing in the towel. 

I gave into that thought process until I figured out that it was Satan who was trying his best to steal every ounce of my joy. 

I'll be honest and write that my energy level has diminished quite a bit throughout the last ten years. I've learned that nothing ever stays the same. 

And it upsets me to watch my body change so much. Adding in PCOS brings forth another set of challenges. (The level of fatigue is unreal) 

But I don't quit. And I refuse to give up my joy. 

I came across something on Facebook one time that read: "don't worry about having the right words, worry about having the right heart." It was so specific to my own heart that I have never forgotten it & it was the reminder I needed. (I love when God gives what we need right when we need it) 

Remember that what you do for the Lord isn't about what you do, how much you do, or how perfectly you do it. All He cares about is the heart you do it with, the amount of honesty and willingness within it.

Be so very careful about not letting what you do for the Lord become more about pleasing others and less about pleasing Him. 

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

A Simple Thought on Salvation

 This little thought was placed on my heart last week & I just couldn't go without sharing it. 🩷(even though it would be perfect for a Tuesday morning) 

I have somehow turned into the thirty-something adult who loves finding reduced goodies while shopping at Kroger. (If you are able to snag one of their grilled chicken caesar salads for half price...those are so good! 😍) 

But it's fun. I think of it as like finding hidden treasure. Mom & I have found so many new things we enjoy from doing that. There's plenty of joy to be found in finding a good bargain. (Sometimes you find quite a bit...other times you won't)

And while Romans 6:23 is such a simple verse that probably most everyone can recite....the Lord gave me this thought to place with it tonight: 

The world may offer bargains that come and go, but the gift of eternal life through trusting in Jesus will forever be the greatest one of all. That gift of salvation is a treasure that is freely offered & available to anyone and everyone who will accept it.

 And the best part of all....it lasts forever. 🩷

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)

The Great Commission: The Importance of Sharing Truth In The Midst of Deception

I couldn't ignore this thought that continues to swirl within my headspace. We are all living through a time of immense darkness & deception. 

Not only is it heartwrenching but also incredibly disturbing and quite unbelievable at this point. 

The world needs the Gospel now more than ever & today I felt led to elaborate on why sharing the truth of His precious word is SO important in our society. 

The Great Commission is the absolute command that the Lord gives us upon receiving Him as Lord & Savior.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)

We are called to simply go and share the Good News of the Gospel and to plant seeds wherever we may be. So many souls live without Christ and absolutely every heart needs Him. 

Never underestimate the power of planting the seed. Go and tell someone about Jesus today. 

As I was placing this particular point together, my mind immediately settled on how incredibly blinded our society is to truth; the youth of today have been conditioned to believe in movements or ideals without having the ability to explain exactly why they are following it or believing in it. 

Science tells us that from eighteen to twenty two, the brain continues to develop (up until age 25) and young minds are incredibly impressionable. 

Their hearts continuously search for something to believe in and a place to belong. 

As I have previously noted, it is crucial to share the Gospel because if the seed isn't at least planted, that good news would remain hidden to those that are lost and without Christ. 

We are called to shine His light upon a world that is shrouded in darkness. 

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

There are those who won't like you and will absolutely hate you simply because you are choosing to share the Gospel. 

And that's okay. 

The world hates the truth, but it so desperately needs it. 

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:18)

No matter the opposition, no matter what people throw at you..

Live with an unashamed faith. 

Be unafraid to share it with others. 

Be bold. Be courageous. 

Because, you never know what Christ will do through a heart that is willing. 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

Throwback Tuesday: The Price of Sin Will Never Be Worth It

 There doesn't seem to be anything in this world that isn't crazy expensive. 

The shortages that have come upon us through the past three years have just begun to escalate; it is becoming harder to have our basic needs met. The quality of everything that we've known and loved just isn't the same anymore. 

And what you're being sold is never worth the hefty price you pay.

This thought has hung around in my head for some time. I read and observe a lot. I can't help but take notice of this gradual acceptance of evil. Society is being continuously groomed to make light of something that is no joke. 

Hollywood paints the picture of Hell as a place that is one big party where everyone will be able to freely continue their life of sin.

The presence of evil here on Earth is welcomed, encouraged, and accepted. The Bible vehemently warns against doing so. 

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20 KJV)

Hell is a truly awful place. Many people don't realize that eternity spent there is total separation from God and everything that He provides.

Therefore, not an ounce of rest will be found there.

No air will be found in Hell, because God is the breath of life. 

There will be no light, because Hell is a place of eternal darkness. 

Hell is a place filled with inescapable flames of torment.. there will be no source of the comfort or love that only He can give.

That's quite the hefty price tag. 

 

The penalty of sin is never worth the price you pay. Christ died for YOU and paid the debt of that sin. He gave His life because He loves YOU. 

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:8-9 KJV)

It is often said that the best things in life are free. The gift of salvation doesn't come with a cost. The freedom and the peace found through trusting in Jesus remains incomparable to anything this world could offer.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23 KJV)

The improvement in quality of life will always be worth it. 

You don't have to face an eternity in Hell, but you will by continually choosing to reject Christ. One day, it will be too late to change your mind. Tomorrow is never promised.

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 KJV)

Eternity with Jesus will always be worth it. He loves YOU. He is seeking to save YOU. Choose to seek Him while He may be found.

"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)

Sunday Thoughts: Fighting Evil With Faith

 Every church service is such a blessing but I especially LOVE Sunday mornings. My heart still aches about what's happened in our country this week, and all I've been thinking about is how we as believers should strive to go harder in our faith & to do even more for the cause of Christ by planting as many seeds as we possibly can. 

For Jesus. For Charlie. 💔

That thought was written out first because it has had a place on my heart since Wednesday, but I also want to touch on those who may have gotten out of church recently or others who may not feel comfortable coming at all. 

I promise that not only does the Lord know your specific situation, He also knows your heart. No matter how far away you fall, you can rest assure that He will forever welcome you with arms wide open. 

And if you've never been to church, well it's just the biggest blessing. Your heart will always come away with something.

I guess my message today is that while Satan will try whatever he can to keep you from trusting in the Lord, following Him, or simply sharing the truth of His precious Word....you musn't let him have that opportunity. 

It's time to start fighting evil with hearts of faith. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Anything And Everything

 

Have you ever met someone so special that you felt as though you could come to them about anything and everything? 

It's wonderful to have friendships that go that deep---beyond any sort of superficiality.  

The Lord gave me such a precious thought on Thursday night that I could not go without sharing it in its entirety on the blog as we are (finally) kicking off the month of September on Molly's Zone. 

Did you know that He cares just as much about our little worries as He does the big ones. You can literally come to Him about anything and everything...(that little word pairing is the sweetest thing ever and I'm so thankful that He gave that reminder to me. I am writing it out because I know that someone else probably needs it even more than I did. 

1 Peter 5:7 immediately came to mind when placing this thought together. Notice how it specifically and lovingly mentions that we can cast ALL our cares upon the Lord: 

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

It doesn't matter if what you're experiencing doesn't seem significant enough to warrant prayer. Whatever burden you're carrying today, He knows all about it and it truly matters to Him. I think sometimes we forget that.

His help is your greatest hope.

And He deeply cares about you. 

My friend...

May you remember as you go about your day that not only can you come to Jesus about anything...

But you can surely trust Him with everything. 

"Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made Heaven and Earth." (Psalm 124:8)