Relentless Pursuit

This week I was reminded of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, when she meets her Messiah. This woman would go day to day drawing from this “well” thinking this water was going to satisfy her. When in reality this well, was just a hole in the ground. Jesus is sitting by the well when the woman walks up to draw water and He asks the woman for a drink. And she’s confused that this man is talking to her. And why he is asking her for a drink. it goes on to say in verses 10-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then do you get this living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered and said, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The Samaritan woman was drawing from this well full of dirty. Unsatisfying water, that was only going to cause her to thirst again. It simply was just a hole in the ground. That only offers temporary satisfaction. But, here we see, in the middle of her work day world, it dawns on her that God is pursuing her. He’s not pursuing Jerusalem, or a massive amount of people at a rally. --- He’s pursuing her.

Have you ever had that moment? Have you ever felt stale and hardened in your heart and yet, sensed God trying to break through the thickness of all that insecurity and hurt and say “I am not just a book. I am not just words on a screen that you sing. I AM a Person. Who wants to know you. The woman, heart pounding as Jesus proves He knows her like no one has ever known her, understands His claim. She realizes she has been drawing from all the wrong holes. She realizes. It’s time to draw from the only True Well.

Jesus… He wants you! He wants your heart. He wants to hold you in the warm embrace of His loving arms. He LOVES and cherishes you more then you could ever know.

Sisters, what kind of holes are you drawing from? How many are you drawing from? Beloved. Walk away from the holes surrounding you and go to the Well. draw from the presence of Jesus. You will never thirst for things of this world. Jesus will quench your soul. Meet your first LOVE. Who will satisfy your heart. He is relentlessly pursuing you. He has what you need. No need to search any longer. Leave it all behind. Bring Him your heart. Rest in His arms.

　

　

Psalm 139:1-4


O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

Burning Hedges

 

 

 

 

 

In this season of my life. God is in the process of cleaning out my heart and my life by taking away things that aren’t glorifying to Him. Things that aren’t baring much fruit. And I’m not going to lie. Its been really hard. In the beginning I didn’t understand at all. All I could ask was Really God? Why this? But, now after 4 months of some long and hard praying, looking deep into scripture, seeking God. I understand why. I was focusing on my best for me. Not GODS best. I was focusing on my own desires for my life rather then Gods. I was blind! For years I had been doing this. And never realized it. I was being stubborn. I wanted to keep this thing that I thought was a good thing in my life. I thought it was causing me to grow in the Lord. But it was only causing me to drift away from my Heavenly Father. I had people tell me it was time to let go. God was trying to speak to me through other people surrounding me. But I thought I couldn’t live with out it in my life. It became an idol to me. It became something I put so much energy into, I became spiritually dry. I was in my word. I was praying. I gave God mostly everything in my life. But not everything. I acted like I gave God this situation. But I was holding on by a pinky. I couldn’t let go of it completely, and it began to hinder me.

In Isaiah chapter 5, it talks about a vineyard. And how it was expected to grow good grapes but ended up producing wild grapes. (Those are no good.) So what happen? It got destroyed. Burned the hedges away. So it won’t bring more harm to the vineyard and its grapes. God does that in our lives. He’s currently doing that in my life. He wants to take out those things that are hindering your relationship with Him. He wants you to give Him everything not just part of it. You see, when we don’t give God our ENTIRE life. When we keep things to ourselves, because we don’t want to let go. God can’t do everything He wants to do in your life. He needs all of you. Every piece of your heart. Every emotion. Every thought. Every desire. He needs it all to complete the work He wants to do in you. And for years I was missing out on this. I didn’t want to give this thing up. I thought something like that wouldn’t come around again. I was afraid of it getting taken away from me. So I held on as tight as I could. And what happen? I became unhappy. Frustrated. Confused. Selfish. Blind. God wants His personal best for us. So what that takes is Him burning away those hedges in your lives that are producing wild grapes. When we let our desires grow for so long they soon begin to choke up the goodness of Christ right out of our hearts. And if we don’t come to a place of recognizing that growth of selfish and worldly desire, God takes manner into His own hands. He will either show us how to handle the situation. If we ignore that, He will take care of it. Things that we have let consume our thoughts, our time, energies, and emotions that aren’t of the Lord, blind us. It may start small, and you may think you have it under control. But little things turn into very big problems if we don’t go to our Father and give it to Him to take control of. Its going to hurt, and be painful. That’s where you cling. Cling to the cross! For so long I let what I thought of innocent and non-effective, end up change my entire life. And since I let it ponder for so long, it makes it very hard to let go of. On my own. You know what makes it easier? Knowing Jesus is on my side and He has something SO much better in store for me. I thought I couldn’t live without it, I thought nothing better will come along. But I am extremely excited to see what Gods best is. And what His Better is for my life. Our best will never be as amazing as Gods best. They don’t even compare.

So sisters, what is that thing in your life. Is it a boy? Relationship? Friendship? The fear of being accepted? The fear of being alone? Anxiety for the future? What is it that is producing the wild grapes in your life.. A TV show? Movie? A group of friends? Materialism? What has become an idol in your life.. Your body image? Media? What is it you are putting your energy in? I can tell you right now, everything I mentioned above. Will fail you and cause you to stumble. That boy that you think that is so “perfect” but you know that’s not the guy God has for you, so you need to break it off. Trust me, God has someone for you that is so much more, incredible and Godly! He made him just for you! That friendship, yea it may be a good one. But, what is its center? If Jesus is not the center and its causing you to fall, God is trying to burn it away. He knows it’s no good for you. That TV show, it is funny but, it may have a little bit of sexual content in it. Is it causing you to think impurely against your brother in Christ? It’s time to stop watching it. Beloved sisters. Give God control. He wants to do some amazing things in your life. And He can’t do that with all this stuff in the way. Clear out. Check your heart. What is it that’s causing your unhappiness? Or your doubtful heart? Let go. Let GOD.

　

Malachi 3:11-12


11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
12 “And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

　

　



 

Devotional Time - Just How Important is it?

These past few weeks have been so busy! Between school, babysitting, ministry, church, running errands, meetings, weddings. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy every second of it all. But even in all that fun I was having physically. Emotionally and Spiritually I was dry…but why?

　

I wasn’t spending time with my Savior. My quiet time in the mornings every now and then would turn into ‘Okay, how much scripture and prayer time can I fit into 5 minutes.’ And I always left unsatisfied. I left feeling like I didn’t read anything. Nothing stuck. I’d go through out my days in a grumpy mood. I’d find my patience was very small. I had filled my head with thoughts of doubt. I was all over the place. My usual devotional time consist of a cup of coffee or tea. My Bible. A pen. My journal. The Jesus Calling Devotional. And a book (right now I’m reading Mere Christianity by C.S Lewis. AMAZING read. I‘ll do a post on it as soon as I finish). I would spend at least an hour and a half in the morning total. That would be my quiet time. And after I was done reading a few verses and meditating on those. Praying about them. Then, reading a chapter in my book. I journal my thoughts about everything I just read and prayed for. Sisters, journals are so important. When I was in middle school I used to think. ‘Journals? Who uses those? I don’t need one, I’ll remember.’ oh boy was I wrong! I wish I journaled about sermons I heard, and times I had with the Lord. Stuff He showed me. That I “thought” I would remember. Now my journal is with me wherever I go! Its so beneficial. A few years ago, I brought a journal with me to a youth conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Took notes on all the teachings and wrote down my thoughts and prayers about it on the bus, or before I went to bed that night. And now looking at that journal. I see the whole event all over again. I remember what took place. The points to the messages I heard. What the Lord did in my heart. I’m refreshed when I read it now. It brings me joy to see how the Lord worked in some of the situations I was in in the past. They help me grow and deepen my walk with Jesus.

　

　

So sisters, what does your devo time look like? Is it like mine was this past week, just barely scratching the surface of scripture. Spending 5 minutes on it because either you’re busy or to just say you did it? Are you even reading at all?.. Ladies, our devotional time is so important. That is what sets our hearts for the day, creates the attitude we are in. Sets the mood. Sets our mind on what is above. Not on what’s around. We need that time in scripture to fight against the temptations that are going to hit us that day. We need that prayer time to talk to our Father. We need that time, most importantly to even know Jesus. Our quiet time is a time for Jesus to get to know us and us to know Him. He longs for that time with us. I know we can easily look at the Bible and think ‘oh where do I start?’ and if that is you. Pick up a devotional book or devotional journal and start there. Pick a small book in the Bible. And dive right in. There is so much waiting for you that Jesus just wants to reveal to you. It’s a work and growing process, it doesn’t happen over night. It's going to take time. So Sisters, where are you today? And what can you do to change it? I’ll tell you where to start, start by asking Jesus to help you with this process. Prayer is so important. Its so powerful and beneficial. So even if you have to set a time in the morning or get up a few minutes early. Or at night don’t watch that extra TV show. Go spend time with your beloved Creator. You will be so full of Joy, and Peace. You won't even care about the 10 minutes of sleep you missed or the TV show.

　
Love you ladies.
Love in HIM.



I Chronicles 28:9
- “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

 




 

　

　

The Fruit of the Spirit is: PEACE

Galatians 5:22-23

　

..The Fruit of the Spirit is PEACE..

 

Its coming to the end of the school year, a lot of you may be busy with finals. finding a summer job. have a lot on your mind concerning the coming year. After school programs. Sports. Summer camp. Whatever it is consuming your time. We tend to get stressed and caught up in the crazy lives we have. We can’t find that sense of peace we are longing for. We feel like all this stuff will never end, it’s just getting worse. Piling on top of us one after the other! Well, I’m here to tell you 1. I know the feeling exactly. And 2. There’s a solution.

　

When I was in 8^th grade. I danced competitively. It was my 3^rd year or so dancing. I loved it! Beginning of the year I was having fun with all my friends! School wasn’t so bad. I was excited for the year and everything it was going to bring. The year before I was fairly new, so this year I wanted to do everything! But little did I know how much a of commitment that was. So here we are, competition season (that’s around the time of February all the way to the end of May.) School work was starting to pile up on me. Rehearsals became more frequent. And a lot longer then expected. I had some rehearsals going until 9 o’clock that night. I was exhausted by the end of the day! I was stressed and did not have a mind of peace! I had forgotten what that word even meant by time the day was over. I was a new believer. Had no idea about the Lord and the peace He gives. So what did I do? I continued in my crazy lifestyle of school, working out, dance, sleep. Everyday. 24/7.

I eventually got to the point where I was completely burned out. One day I opened my Bible, because I had a few moments to give. So I looked at my Bible and thought ‘Wow, it has sure been a long time since I opened this.’ And I happen to open up to John 14: 27. It says “ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” And the Lord spoke and ministered to my heart right then and there. My heart was troubled. I was not at peace. My mind and my heart were going in so many directions.

　

Here’s the solution. Jesus. He gives peace that surpasses all understanding. He longs for that quiet time with you. He wants your heart and mind to be at peace. He wants to comfort you. So beloved sister, what is it that’s stressing you out? Does anything I mention before ring a bell? He is the peace maker. So maybe, you are in the situation I was in. stressed. Overwhelmed. Not looking to Jesus for peace. Trying to find it in friends. Ladies, Jesus will bring you peace. Look to HIM. And pray. Pray that the Lord would calm your heart and the things in your life. Seek His face for guidance! He will give it.

Love you sweet sisters!

Love in HIM.

　

Here is what Gods Word has to say about Peace…

　

2 Corinthians 13:11 -
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

　

Ephesians 2:14-18 -
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

　

Judges 6:23 -
23 Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you…”

　

Psalm 4:8 - 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

　

Isaiah 26:3
- 3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

　

Mark 5:34
- 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

　

Romans 5:1
- Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ