BUT GOD!

It all comes down to the cross - BUT GOD!

This series of Good Morning Girls devotionals is flying by and I'm having fun! The Facebook group that I am a part of is very active and it's great to hear feedback from different ladies as to what they are learning through the book of Ephesians.

This week's verses amaze me. Here they are:


Eph 2:1-7 (NKJV, emphasis mine)
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.


BUT GOD! If it wasn't for God and His GREAT mercy and grace I would probably be dead right now. If not physically, I would be dead in sin. But He saved me!!!

I'm alive in Christ, a new creation. My old man is dead and gone!

I had the privilege of teaching on the life of Jesus, in particular His water baptism, last Friday to a group of kids (ages 2-14). As I read the story of John, the cousin of Jesus, baptizing our Savior I was reminded of Old vs. New.

Jesus' baptism...

what a powerful thing it must have been to witness!

Jesus didn't have to be baptized, but He did so as an example to us.

We, through water baptism, get to:

1. Testify to the world that we are dead to ourselves and are living for Christ, ready to follow Him every step of the way. (Acts 10:48)
2. Follow Christ's example - being totally submerged in water and coming up again, symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection. (Matthew 3:13)
3. Obey God's command of  going into all the world, making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

I hadn't intended on sharing on baptism when I sat down to type this but I can't help it!

I was dead in my sin, angry in my heart, fearful of my future... BUT GOD!

God restored relationships in my life, renewed my mind, revived my body, and gave me purpose to live. If you have the time, you can read my full testimony here!

I pray that you are encouraged to respond to God's mercy in your own life.

Also, if you are a believer and have never been water baptized, please talk to a local pastor or church leader. They will be happy to set up a time and place for you to obey God! You can do it!


Have a blessed day,

I'm linked up with:

A Royal Princess Party!

Welcome to The Royal Princess Party...

The table is set, come on in, the party is about to begin!

This past week our home turned into a castle 

as our little girl turned three!

Princess Moriah waited patiently for her royal guests to arrive...

There were crowns to decorate, dances to enjoy,

and friends to play with!

The princesses then enjoyed some light finger food -

PB and J hearts, cheese and grape castles, and

veggies with pink ranch dip.

No party would be complete without Pink Party Punch

and chocolate cupcakes!

The Birthday Princess was crowned and gifts

were opened with care.

We thank God for all the pretty princesses who came!

Each one is a delight to the Father's heart.

What a party! I'm still finding rose petals and gems in the carpet.

Now every day is princess dress up day around our castle  :o)

I love making sweet memories with my kids!

Our Good Morning Girls group (a women's online Bible study group) is going step by step through the book of Ephesians and this is where my mind and heart have been for the past few weeks.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6 (NKJV)

I knew I would be planning a princess party for my daughter for some time, but the timing was of it all couldn't have been better!

I have been reminded again and again that I am adopted, through Jesus Christ, and am a princess of the Most High God! You are too, if you have received His free gift of Salvation. What a wonderful truth!

It's not a fairytale after all - it's real life! We are daughters of the King of Kings and as such we are called to walk in His authority and power!

Angela, co-founder of Good Morning Girls, shares even more about being a princess of the King here!

May God bless you with peace, joy and hope. He is our Creator and our loving Father.

In Him,

 
 

Mommy and Daddy love you so, Moriah Grace. You are a beautiful princess - inside and out! We are thankful for the gift you are to our lives! Happy 3rd Birthday!

 

 

I'm linked up with:

 

 

Beauty That Never Fades {Thoughtful Momma Monday}

Thoughtful Momma Monday

photo credit

I am participating in the Gentleness Challenge over at Courtney's blog, and have been thinking on gentleness throughout each day... the verse that comes to my mind first is:

Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.  1 Peter 3:3-4

A gentle and quiet spirit does not come naturally to me... it's something I have to ask God to help me with.

I need help to:

• Bite my tongue - I don't have all the answers.
• Slow down - My hands reflect my heart, especially with my children. Whether it's when brushing my daughter's hair or dressing my son for the day I need to be soft and easy with my hands - imparting peace and love.
• Listen - not just hear the words that someone is telling me, but truly listen to them - with my eyes, ears and heart.
• Sit still - in God's presence. It's a busy life we lead. Family to care for, friends to visit with, and a "To Do" list that's ever-growing. My Jesus desires my attention and affection. I need to sit still.

My heart wants all these things but I know it's impossible outside of God's grace.

I choose to daily ask for help from the One who made me and knows me, even better than I know myself.

ALL things are possible! I'm excited for a new season of growth in my life. Thank you, Lord!!!


Have a wonderfully, blessed week,

 

You can read more about the Gentleness Challenge here:

 

Winter - a Time For Growth!

Usually trees and plants stop growing in the winter... they just survive. During winter they go through a stage known as dormancy. During dormancy, trees shut down for a short period, and then burst back to life in the spring.

photo source

Even in the winter we are called, as children of God, to GROW!

No matter the stage of life we find ourselves the word of God is relevant. It is alive and can feed our soul, if we would take the time to sit and "eat" it!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 6:35

If you are like me. it's hard to make time to sit and read your Bible, much less stay consistent at it.

A special group called Good Morning Girls has helped me in this area, and it may be what you need this winter too!

What Are Good Morning Girls? Courtney , co-leader of GMG, shares:

“Good Morning Girls” are a group of Christian women who email, facebook, twitter or text messaging to keep each other accountable for their quiet times.

The winter session will run from January 15th – April 15th.

Read more about what GMG is all about here!

It's not too late to grab a friend, or two, for five and dive into the word of God together!

A few of my Good Morning Girls from our 1 John study last fall!

Remember (myself included), God promises:

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

May God bless you and fill you as you read His holy word!

Blessings,

I'm linked up with Janelle over at

Happy Birthday Deanna!

Friends are like flowers in the garden of life.

Beginning with a seed of trust,

Nurtured with laughter and tears,

Growing into loyalty and love.

~Author Unknown~

Today is the birthday of a dear friend. She is walking into the last year of her 20's and she has so much to look forward to (I can say that since I'm over half way through year 29, right?  :o).

Only 9 years ago, when she began her 20's, we met as roommates at Bible college. We were both new to the campus and were grateful for a smiling face and fast friend as a roommate. That night we celebrated her birthday with homemade chicken fajitas. We have a common love for Tex-Mex so it was a hit!

We began a journey of a lifetime that year - we began to understand more who we were created to be and what God had in store for our futures. Studying at Christ for the Nations Institute was a blessing to us both. I remember asking her, "So what are your plans for the future?". She replied that she was going to stay a semester or two to get a firm foundation of God's Word, etc. and then go back to college and finish her degree. I though, "We'll see about that!." Two years later we graduated from CFNI together!

She went on to marry the man of her dreams the spring after graduation and I transferred and finished my degree. A couple of years later she helped coordinate my wedding as I married my sweetheart! (we met both of our hubbies at Bible school, and we weren't even looking! :o)


We were both pregnant with our girls at the same time and our lives have crossed paths over the years as she and her family have moved across the country and back.

Our girls - best little buds.

Sweet as sugar!

I'm HAPPY to say that she now lives twenty minutes down the road and I get to see her often! I'm so excited to celebrate the arrival of her baby boy in a couple of months! What a blessing to stay connected to sisters in the Lord and friends who are going through similar seasons of life (we have a network of roommates who keep in touch - love it!).

     

Auntie D with my daughter, while pregnant with her girl... and 2 years later holding my son!

As friends we get to listen to one another's hearts and as believers we can stand in the gap for each other and encourage one another. Proverbs 27:17 is true in this relationship - we get to sharpen one another, as iron sharpens iron... especially when it comes to being godly mothers and wives!

I pray that you, dear reader, are as blessed as I am to have a good girl friend or two who you can walk through life with, whether they live near or far away. It helps to have someone you can call on for prayer or just to laugh or cry with (or both at the same time!).

You can always count on me to make us laugh and smile our "real" smiles :o)

Today is YOUR day, dear Deanna. I pray it is a blessed one and that this year holds abundant blessings for you and your family. May your Blessed Warrior arrive in his perfect timing and may your labor and delivery be all that you hope for!


You are a gem of a friend and I'm so thankful we were thrown together as roommates 9 years ago. God knew what He was doing! You "sharpen" me in many ways. I look forward to learning more from you and growing together with you in the years to come!


Much love,


PS - Told you they were lovely pictures!