A new day, a new dawn...

  As I look back at the posts I wrote in 2010, I'm thankful for what the Lord has taught me.  Time certainly has been kind.  Though there is much to be said for knowledge being painful, I'd never ask for anything else then the time God has given me to learn and grow in HIS truth.  I look forward to writing more~  Until then I pray this finds all well~

JUDGEMENT

The most common response when witnessing or speaking of witnessing is this~ "Only God can judge me" or "I'm not the judge for anyones life."  I ask this.  What's the verdict?  Because clearly if this is a true response they must then know that God will judge them.  So put me aside.  Act as though I haven't said a word.  They know that they will die.  They profess to know of God and His judgement to come.  Why be on the defense?  If in fact these people really and truly believed in the Almighty, wouldn't they be glad to see others who are speaking His word?  Why feel as though witnessing is passing judgement.  Are they not judging those who they point at as judging?  Matthew 7:15-23   My  hearts desire is to honor God and one way is to witness and proclaim His name~ not to condemn.  I know not when the last day will be, but I do understand we aren't promised our next breath.  Listen, God's word sets me straight.  I understand I am just one person.  I have a pretty messed up past~  But my what a glorious future I have with Jesus!  Why wouldn't  I want others to know of such a promise only God is faithful to keep?!

Forgiveness

Why is it so hard to forgive?   What is it that holds us back from confronting issues of the heart?   Have we who have been forgiven by the Father forgot that we are to forgive? 
  I think of my own life.  How undeserving I am to be forgiven.  Nothing could I do to ever deserve the love I have in Jesus.  But through God's amazing grace I am born again!
  Before trusting in the work done on the cross, I saw forgiveness as something earned.  I felt like someone would have to give me respect before giving them respect.  Living a life like that was hurtful to both myself and the people I encountered.  I see it in people now.  I see their struggle with being nice and respectful or having forgiveness.  Many professing Christians hold onto what they feel is right rather then what God says is right.  We are to forgive.  Be kind.  Have a pure heart.  Doing all without being ostentatious. How are we being Christ-like when going out of our way to hurt others?  If I speak unkindly, if I treat one unkindly, how then am I emulating Christ?  (I'm not seeing God's reflection when looking into the mirror).   I'm talking to any woman or man who says they are forgiven yet will not forgive those around them.  I'm speaking of Christians who seek not reconciliation or not putting the other person before ourselves. Seek out scripture.  Where does it show Jesus casting the first stone?   Did He not lead others to the cross where ultimately He was crucified for their sins? (for your sins)  Did He not say "Father forgive them" (Luke 23:34)  I hope this finds you in the Spirit of God.  I pray these words come to you as a gentle reminder that we need not hold onto something that isn't ours to hold onto.  When forgiving we must ultimately give it to God and through doing so, He will give you the heart which in turn leads to actions from the heart. I give glory to God the Father who forgave me and gave me the heart to forgive. 

Wake and Pray

I will rejoice in the Lord for I know this is the day the Lord has made! 
   Have you ever NOT felt that way?  Why?
I'm ashamed to admit but I wake up some mornings with the "woe is me" attitude.   Half awake, I walk to the dog cage usually kicking the handle to open it.   I stumble in the dark to  find the front door (which I usually forget is locked and bang my shoulder trying to open it).   I then proceed with the routine of feeding cats, child and husband.  On these "woe is me" mornings, I can't seem to get into gear...  I notice that I focus on not putting enough milk in my coffee, the yolk in the eggs break, and the child just will not get it together as I think she should.  The ride to school seems to take forever.  And the singing in the car is not an option!
  But  the "woe is me" days are few and I pray become even fewer.   I've come to learn that these days are when I don't wake and pray.   I get in such a hurry  searching in the dark to start the day that I don't realize  I've already put aside what is most important.   Putting on the armor of God before anything is vital in a Christians life (Ephesians 6:11). Waking up and giving praise to the Lord puts the day in order.   I'm thankful when my husband and I remember to call each other if we've forgotten to pray because we understand it's part of our relationship with God and each other. The Lord has opened my heart to desiring that time with Him.   Everyday is a gift from God.  The day is not about me.  The Glory is to God.  And you know what? I enjoy my responsibilities as a wife and mother.   Oh the beauty of a quiet house in the morning!   The excitement of the dog when he hears me approaching him!   Having food to cook, being ABLE to cook for my family, being blessed by having time with my daughter who has grown so fast.   It is because of God that I am here and because of God that I am able to see His beauty around me.  I think to often the norm is to say," I'm tired"  or  "I just don't feel well" and other excuses~  And after all that's just what they are.  When I don't put God first there are only excuses to be made.  And none worthy might I add.   By praying first; before my feet hit the floor,  I see what a difference it makes.   And I assure you, it does! 

Surrendering My Heart

   My name is Noelle and this is my testimony

I like many, was raised by my mother. My parents had separated before I was born and I never had a relationship with my father~ Throughout my youth , I allowed my life to be revolved around what others and this world thought was acceptable. So much that I lost sight of who I was; lies became the truth, I got into partying/ disrespecting my mother and even close friends, allowing my childhood to flash by into adulthood still lost in sin. And I will tell you this.. I proclaimed to love God, I prayed, I went to church, I even taught children about the love of God. Little did I know, you can't serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). You see, I was a slave to sin, my master was myself & the things of this world. What I thought was being a believer had nothing to do with honoring God. I don't ever recall sitting still long enough to study a Bible. In 2009 after having a heart monitor implanted I was given time to heal and while doing so, I received a message from a longtime friend asking how I was doing. This friend, once lost in sin with me had given his life to Christ. I had no intention of calling him back, we no longer had that common ground. I bar tending, him preaching~ Later that day something inside told me to call him and just go to church. On the way to church we had extra time & so went to a park to talk. He read me his lesson he was to teach. It fell on deaf ears. However, something did register. It was his question to me, He asked me why I hadn't given my life to Christ.My answer was not one that I could have predicted. I said that i liked not having to answer to anyone, that I enjoyed sin. The truth had came out of my mouth..  My heart was speaking for the first time  (Matthew 12:34).  When getting to church; I opted to go with him to the children's church. All the young children gathered together were told of a story about a girl who was grounded in the Word. When asked what grounded meant all hands were raised. I assumed they would talk of being in trouble with their parents and what not. Hands were lifted high by the children, answers like knowing God, having a relationship with Him, Jesus being their rock had me floored. At that moment I realized I had no idea who God was. It brought me to tears & I was ashamed of the life I was living. That night something had changed in me. I opened up the Bible and began to read the book of John. I saw that Jesus IS the light of the world (John 3:19-21).  I saw that my sin was the darkness hating Him. The words I was reading made sense. They were real, God became real! I saw that because of my sins, God crushed His Son~ I lost my breath searching for how I could have rejected Him for 31 years of my life. I thought of how many times the doors were open that lead me to Him but I was selfish and wanted what I wanted. I found myself outside on my knees crying out loud to God asking for Him to forgive me. I asked Him to never stop revealing Himself to me. That I without Him am nothing (John 15:5).  The bible says clearly that we must repent (Mark 1:15). I'm still repenting to this day for I know I will never be perfect though my hearts desire is to honor Christ with all I do (Phillipians 1:6). I die daily to glorify God. God saved me and has given me a new heart, a new life (Eziekel36:26).  God is a just God who has shown me mercy. I AM in fact a slave but no longer to sin, my master is God who bought me with the precious blood of Christ. I have found that God is my Father, one who will never forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).  I am forever thankful and will serve Him~ (Mark 16:15)  Seek Him while He may be found. Surrender Your Heart