Not Who I Once Was - All In - Committed

Not Who I Once Was - All In - Committed 

Once upon a time there was this girl who lived and dreamed of a fairy-tale life……that little girl grew up and continued to live out her dreams and began to believe that impossible fairy-tales could still become possible...

There are times in life when we can get so lost in our memories. There are moments we experience pure joy and there are times we experience great sorrow and pain. Life goes by so fast that years go by before we realize just how much time has passed. Dreams are forgotten, some memories fade, but some...some memories we just bury.

The buried and hard memories are the ones I keep thinking a lot about lately. The dreams that we have forgotten that we even had. There was a time when I would think God why do you allow those times of pain and sorrow and great loss to happen to your people? Where are YOU? Why are you not moving in these circumstances and situations? Why did YOU allow this to happen!?

I think we have all had those moments a time or two or maybe even three or four. 

I can honestly say though as I began to live out my life totally committed to Him with no strings attached… I began to see Him in everything. Thru the pain and sorrow, in the good times, and bad times, I could find Him. I longed to find Him in the midst of all the things happening around me because His presence brought me comfort. That has been how the last few months have been for me.

There has been sudden loss to those we love and family of those we love, there has been sickness, great pain in other areas and just life changes in general. There were moments where it felt like if we stopped moving we may get lost in a whirlwind. It was a constant storm brewing, BUT GOD. See my friends in the midst of all of this at the end of the day we still had each other and we still had the one who never leaves us nor forsakes us. We just keep putting one foot infront of the other and keep our eyes focused on Him. He is our sail in the storm. Our very present help in times of trouble.

Over the last few weeks I had to keep adjusting my schedule so that I could stay home and rest. I had this exhaustion that I could not explain. During that time God really began to speak to my heart. He began to whisper in the late night hours. Can I tell you something? Did you know that God has a specific plan and purpose for YOUR life!? Like there is only ONE you. You with all of your uniqueness and your talents and your personality. God made you just the way you are because HE has a destiny and a calling on your life. There is a group of people that YOU will impact someday JUST by being who YOU are. Not who someone else says you need to be, not who your friends or family want you to be, but simply by being your authentic self, messy-bun and all I say!

We have to come to a place where we become so sold out to God that HE is literally our NUMBER ONE heart’s desire. Everything I do literally everything….I try and keep Him as my center focus. I am always wondering okay God is this okay. Will He be disappointed if I do this or man I really screwed that up God please help me next time. I mean we are all human. We WILL make mistakes, COUNT ON IT! But are you willing to become so sold-out to HIM that your literally willing to be walk thru the fire? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow HIM daily? Are you willing to say GOD…I want MORE of You and LESS OF ME! Make me more like you!! Every day… EVERY day… God make me more like you. I want my life to be a reflection of who YOU ARE. I want others to see you when they see me. My life is not my own. It was bought and paid for at a price.

Are you willing to walk thru the fire? Are you willing to go back to those places in your life where you have been deeply wounded and allow God to heal you? Are you willing to TRUST that HE knows what HE is doing? IS HE worth it? I don’t want to miss out on what God has for me. It won’t be easy. There will be times when you will feel like there is no one else fighting with you. But you keep fighting. You keep pursuing Him with EVERYTHING you got. Because your committed now.

Praying for you all tonight! xo Jessica

You aren’t going back to who you use to be. 

Your becoming who you were meant to be!

Scriptures to Ponder

Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Joshua 1:9 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

1 Corinthians 6:11 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Psalm 18:2 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 4:6-8 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Lamentations 3:21-23  21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 103: 1-5 1 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Value Found in the Lost Sheep

You Are That Important 

Yesterday while listening to a video of the song "Reckless Love" the writer/singer of the song talked about where the concept came from. He talked about the parable found in the Bible regarding the Lost Sheep and God's love for us. 

I have been meditating on this parable for two days! I kept thinking God I get it, but why am I being brought back to this passage again and again. Tonight I was thinking about last nights prayer service at church and we were praying for the "lost" and there has been an ongoing prayer about the people from past generations "coming back home." As I began meditating tonight I realized why I keep thinking about this parable. 

So often we get into this mindset in our churches and personal walks where we find our niche of people. We tend to find like-minded people and congregate to those people. Like sheep we find our flock and do our thing. Notice how when the one sheep got lost the other sheep didn't even notice or stop what they were doing to go find that lost sheep. It was the Shepherd who noticed the sheep had gone astray and so he left the 99 in search of the 1. Ahhh! We always focused on the dude looking for the lost sheep. Never have I thought about the other sheep and their total ladeda attitudes, I get it they are sheep haha however the story itself is suppose to be proving a point using real people. Follow me here. 

If we are the "sheep" have we gotten to this place where we are so caught up in ourselves and what we are doing that we haven't noticed those that have gone astray? Have we gotten so accustomed to our way of doing things or have our own set of peeves that we are unwilling to go after those who have dropped off the grid? When are we going to begin stepping out of the norm and moving into that place where we notice the things around us? When are we going to begin to look out for those God has placed in our paths and begin chasing them down? 

That 1 sinner was more important then the 99 righteous. We need to learn to see the value in the lost. Not just look at the world and think to ourselves we don't want to go messing with all that craziness. I mean don't get me wrong I totally love our church and don't like people messing with it's DNA ha-ha. However, we ALL need to make room for changes and we ALL need to begin looking at those around us and begin asking God for direction on how to reach those people whom he has put directly in our paths.

Every church is strategically placed, every home is strategically placed and every person is strategically placed to be used in the area in which God has called them. Where has God called you? What can you do today, tomorrow, next week to cultivate this mentality of the "1?" What can we do to further advance God's Kingdom and how can we be used to reach the lost and begin to take notice of the things in which we may have ignored in the past.

God is up to something and we need to have eyes to seen and ears to hear! 

God finds value in you! You are all important! Nothing you have done or are currently doing can keep you from His love. He loves you without reservation. You are the 1! 

Love and Blessings

Jessica xo

Luke 15 New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 

Finding Peace in the Storm

Finding Peace in the Storm

Tonight I keep thinking about the vision God showed me while I was at Valiant Ministries recently. I am reminded that in the midst of the storm God is in control. For those who may not have read my previous post I will recap a little bit of what I saw so you have a better idea of where I am going with this.

While worshiping with my friend Maija we were in a time of soaking worship and God showed me a vision. In this vision there was a man on a boat in the middle of this vast ocean completely isolated and in the midst of a severe storm. I remember noticing that it was dark and the waves were turbulent and winds relentless and the storm was raging. I looked around and wondered to myself what on earth was this man doing "resting" against the back of this ship!? I looked to see who was steering the ship and there was no one else there. I looked to see who was handling the sails and again no one was there.

This man was just laying back against the back of the boat completely content on what was happening around him. He was admiring this massive storm! The boat would sail this way and that way and ride out every wave. The guy was totally getting drenched.

I thought maybe he was insane or secretly wanting to die ha-ha. I am dead serious I mean WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would just ride out a massive storm right?! Anyways some time passed and I could see the light begin to shine and the storm broke and the man and ship were unharmed. It was like a serious moment of download for me.

I felt as though God was saying the storm will come, it will even rage, but if you just "lean" into me and allow me to steer the ship you will come out unharmed. That is the awesome thing about serving a living God. We have the ability to call out to the maker of the storm and if we just submit to Him our lives, trusting in His Word and His promises we will come out of the storm.

Your breakthrough will come, stand steadfast and even though you may at times feel the wind or the rain know that You serve the rain maker and He will guide you thru the storm. Press in to His presence, Press in to His Word and REST in Him. While going thru a storm it's not always easy to give up "control" but who better to guide you through the waves? Who better to understand where you are headed or what you are going thru? What will you gain from worrying about your next move? What will you gain from worrying that your ship will be destroyed by what's coming? We need to learn to lean in and wait for our break in the storm.

Praying for you my friends that whatever your storm may look like that you can find that secret place of resting in His presence. God desires that we know Him more and learn to trust Him in the storm.

Blessings

Jessica xo

 Here are a few of my all-time favorite scriptures to meditate on during your storm! 

Isaiah 12:2  “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

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

Philippians 4:6-7  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Numbers 6:25-26 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Standing on the Promises of God

Standing on the Promises of God 

God has been taking me to some new places over the last few months. He is stretching me and teaching me and most importantly guiding me. I have been on this walk with Him, totally sold out for about 15 years now. Even after all this time He continues to amaze me and I realize I still have so much to learn!

Something I have not really done until this year was praying thru the scriptures, specifically praying thru the promises of God. That has been the word He gave me for 2018 "PROMISES!"

I love love love that scripture confirms that God keeps His promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20 AMPC For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.

As we walk with God we will find ourselves at times in a place where we begin to wonder if God really does keep His promises. We begin to question whether or not we have ever really heard His call or voice. We begin to doubt that we are even walking on the right path. For me when I finally gave my life over completely to God I told myself whatever happens from here on out I am all in. When the storms come, when the trials and temptations come my way, quitting will not be an option,

I think of my relationship with God like a marriage. That no matter how my life currently looks or how unhappy I find myself at times that no matter what I have to choose to believe He loves me, I have to choose to believe to remain steadfast in Him, I have to choose to believe HE will do as He says and will work all things together for my good [Romans 8:28]. I will be the first to say that it takes serious dedication and commitment to follow hard after Him. You will walk thru places where the enemy will try to turn things around, think about it. Even Jesus walked thru the desert places and satan tried to tempt him. I mean if the enemy can taunt Jesus, why do we think he wont taunt us too?! It was hard walk that Jesus walked, BUT GOD. God has a greater purpose in store and if you are doing what you are called to do the enemy is going to come at you a thousand different ways to tilt the course you are on.

That my friends is why we have to remember that no matter what we made a commitment for the long haul. Yes times will get tough and times will get hard and there will be times we feel we can't even hear God's voice let alone feel His presence, but He promises us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us [Hebrews 13:5]. Deuteronomy 31:6 also talks about not being afraid, but to be strong that God will not leave you. But I think it isn't just about the hard times, God promises us that there is GOOD things that come to those who seek after Him. We can stand on the goodness of God! We can proclaim and declare and decree that we are children of the most High God and that He wont let us down.

I have no idea where this blog came from today except that I guess for me it's being raw with all of you. That I too have found myself in those places where I felt God wasn't hearing my voice or that for some reason He had abandoned me. BUT I know that the God I serve and love has a relentless love for me too. That He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to fulfill once and for all the wages of our sins. Be encouraged today that no matter where you are in your walk with God. That HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES, HE LOVES YOU! He desires to know you not because He is an all knowing God, I mean because we all know He already knows everything about you, BUT something happens when we allow ourselves to open up to God. To share with Him the deepest parts of ourselves. Something happens in US when we allow ourselves to become truly raw and undone in His presence. He desires for you to know that you can call on and He will answer. He desires to hear our heartbeat and for us to know His.

My prayer for all of you today is that you keep pressing in, no matter where you are in your walk with God. Perhaps you don't even have a relationship with Him or your not sure about any of this really, know that I am always here to listen and more importantly when you open up yourself to Him in that quiet place He will answer.

Listed below are a few of the scriptures that I have been praying thru and some might say okay Jessica but how exactly do you pray thru a scripture ahaha. That is the easy part you literally would say something as simple as: God, you promised us in Deuteronomy 31:6 that you will never leave me, nor forsake me. Your Word says that I can be strong and courageous because you go before me. Help me to rest in that promise today. That I am not alone and You are here with me and Your going to lead and guide me. Strengthen me today that I can stand in with boldness. I thank you that at times I am feeling alone I know you are near. Thank you for loving me enough to not leave me the same person I was yesterday, but that you are stretching me and strengthening me for your greater glory. During this season in my life please bring those around me that can encourage me in my walk with you. Thank you for your grace! Amen.

It's that simple my friends! Just speak from your heart and allow God to move you in your times of prayers and more importantly allow Him to refresh you. I love you my friends and family and pray God does a miraculous work in your life and in that of your families,

With Love


Jessica

Psalm 37:4-5 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

    trust in him and he will do this:

Psalm 50:15 New International Version (NIV)

    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Isaiah 41:10 New International Version (NIV)

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 14:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;

¹⁵ and call on me in the day of trouble;

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;

²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

His Reckless Love

His Reckless Love

Today is a day we all like to think about "Looooooove." I got thinking about this amazing song we have been singing at church called, "Reckless Love" I am posting the lyrics at the end of this blog because they are so so so powerful! There is no greater love I know then the love of our Abba, Daddy. 

There is this overwhelming peace that comes over me when I think about how much He truly loves us. His love has no limits, no restrictions, no boundaries and most importantly NO restrictions. No matter what you have done in the past or where you currently are if you call out to Him, His love is readily available. He is restless in His pursuit of YOU! 

I wanted to encourage you today that if your feeling "unloved" that God loves you and He desires to know you in such an intimate and special way. He loves you so much that He sent His only son to die on the cross that you can be reconciled unto Him. The famous John 3:16. <3 God has a plan and purpose for your life. It's time to align with Him and find out where you fit into His perfect plan. 


Real loves starts and begins with God. I love better because I know His love. I am better equipped at showing that love in many ways because of my relationship with Him. I have the capacity to forgive because of His love for me. He taught me how to forgive and He forgave me of all the craziness I have done in my life. All those times I felt like a failure. He took those broken pieces of my life and restored my heart. God can heal the deepest core of my past, because He is the great physician. He can mend a broken heart and heal it better then anyone else we know because HE created it! 

Let's take some time out today to lavish our love on Him.


With Love, Jessica 

The Bible is full of scriptures on love, but these are some of my favorites!

“Let all that you do be done in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:14

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”  John 13:34-35

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:18-19

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  John 14:15

“Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.”  Colossians 3:14

What are some of your famous love scriptures?

Lyrics to Reckless Love 

[Verse 1]

Before I spoke a word

You were singing over me

You have been so, so Good to me

Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me

You have been so, so Kind to me

[Chorus]

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it

Still You give yourself away

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

[Verse 2]

When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me

You have been so, so Good to me

When I felt no worth You paid it all for me

You have been so, so Kind to me

[Bridge]

There's no shadow You won't light up

Mountain You won't climb up

Coming after me

There's no wall You won't kick down

No lie You won't tear down

Coming after me

Help Me Rhonda!

Help, Help Me Rhonda! 

Today I was sitting here thinking man I should get motivated. The day is almost over and I haven't even gotten out of my pajamas. Out of nowhere that Old Beatles song comes to my mind. Help me Rhonda, Help, Help Me Rhonda ha-ha. I think it was a song about a guy trying to get over another love and he comes across Rhonda! LOL. Totally irrelevant to my situation ha-ha. However, it got me thinking when we have those times when we need to get up, get moving and/or heal and move on with God's desires for our lives...Do we start calling out Help me, Father, Help, Help me Father? I should totally write a knock-off song from the Beatles! I mean you know your singing that song already in your head. *does a little Help Me Rhonda dance*

Then I instantly thought of that Psalm 121 which also happens to be the Psalm that the children are memorizing in children's church. For those who are not familiar with it, it goes like this: 

121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

My help comes from the Lord.....Imagine if in those moments of helplessness or just when your in that place where you have no ambition whatsoever you always have someone you can look to the ultimate creator of Heaven and Earth. He's there ready and willing if you just call on him! I encourage you today to take a few moments and pray. Pray that God would HELP you in the midst of your circumstances whether it be big or small. Then lace up your shoes and get moving! 

*hums* Help me Father, Help, Help me Father!

With Love 

Jessica 

Straight Outta Compost!

Straight Outta Compost! 

The kids and I were watching a Reading Rainbow episode today and it was all about composting and gardening. As we were watching the video and the process of composting I began thinking about our lives. Sometimes life is a lot like a scrap of leftover garbage that really has no more use. However, the right mix of "what's leftover" in time creates this beautiful compost. This compost is rich in nutrients! It can then be used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture and agriculture. 

The compost itself is beneficial for the land in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, as a natural pesticide for soil and more. There is a process to making the compost and it has to contain the right mixture of ingredients and it has to be turned and not left stagnant. There are various phases to composting and the process does not happen overnight.

 

I thought okay well...umm...hmmm... Well I think what God is trying to say is that He can take those things which we would normally discard and turn them into something nutrient filled! In life there are times we think that we are to old, or to poor, or to broken to be used by God. That is a straight up lie from the enemy. There is so much that we can do and so much we each have to offer. We find ourselves at different phases in life and sometimes the process in which we have to undergo doesn't happen overnight. Just remember if we keep on "moving" and we keep our eyes focused on the end results the process is WORTH IT!

I got thinking about the story of Joseph in the Bible. His brothers had basically "discarded" him thinking that he was of no use to their family. Over time Joseph went thru different phases in his life that ultimately led to him being in that place, in that nutrient place, where he would be able to save his family from famine. Had he not been discarded, had he not persevered thru the phases of life God brought him too, he would never have been in the place of honor that God put him in. There was a spot in Genesis Chapter 50 where Joseph's brothers threw themselves at Joseph all like "we will be your slaves ahhh forgive us" LOL. Joseph's reply was so powerful! He says to them "Don't be afraid! Am I not in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for my good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." I bet this was a total Mic Drop moment! 

Take some time today and just re-group and chat with the Father. Find out where you are in the process and just ask God for not only direction, but grace to see it finished to the end. We all have things we need to go thru to get to that place that God has for us. Keep pressing in! God tells us in Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." That's one of His promises to us! That He will make a way and create that which we need in the process! 

Revelation 21:5 "And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

With Love 

Jessica