Quote for January 29

Re-post Sunday

Hey, sisters! It's re-post Sunday, so here's an article to help start off your week :) Over at Rad Revolution, this post talks about the fact that "You Are Absolutely Beautiful." 

Following God with all your Trust

I never really studied the story of Ruth until the past month or two. Every time I read and study more, I learn more about following God even when it makes absolutely no sense. And I learn that where God leads us is part of the plan He has for us.

When you think about Ruth's story from a non-Christian perspective, she seems like a nutcase. Her husband of ten years just passed away. Now, of course, I don't have a husband, but I can imagine that if my husband died after being married ten years, I would go to my biological mother, the mother that held me and nursed me when I was sick as a child. Did Ruth do that? Nope. Maybe Ruth's mother wasn't alive; maybe Naomi was the only family Ruth had. But I don't think that was the case. At any rate, Naomi was leaving the only country Ruth ever new, and Ruth decided to go with her. To go live a life of probable poverty

So why did she do this? Naomi even tried to persuade Ruth to go back to her family and home, but Ruth refused:

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 

(Ruth 1:16-17)

The tone and meaning of Ruth's response really convinces me that she knew that following Naomi was what God wanted her to do. I'm sure it didn't make any sense to her at the time. I'm sure she wasn't thinking about herself and her own personal leisure. In her loyalty to Naomi, however, she would be greatly blessed. We know that she met and married Boaz and became the ancestor of both David and Jesus. 

God may be telling you to do something that just doesn't seem to make sense. But, He always know best. He knows His plans for you, and you can always trust Him. Unlike mankind's promises and character, God's promises and character never fail. Don't be afraid to follow Him... with all your trust.

Quote for January 22

Re-post Sunday

Hey, girls! It's re-post Sunday, so here's an article to get you started this week. :) Over at Kindred Grace, this post talks about "How to Find Words for Hurting Friends."

Where is Your Treasure?

Mansion Over the Hilltop

a hymn by George Morgan

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below,

A little silver and a little gold;

But in that city where the ransomed will shine

I want a gold one that's silver-lined.

~ refrain~

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old;

And someday yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold.

~~~

Tho' often tempted, tormented and tested

And, like the prophet, my pillow a stone;

And tho' I find here no permanent dwelling

I know He'll give me a mansion my own.

~refrain~

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely

I'm not discouraged, I'm Heaven bound;

I'm just a pilgrim in search of a city

I want a mansion, a harp and a crown.

~refrain~

Life is precious, and all too short. In an instant, it can end. 

So why do we spend so much time in this life chasing after things that won't last?

Over and over and over again,we watch the same TV show episodes, the same movies read the same magazines and books, play the same video games. We build up our possessions around us until we are comfortable. We seek to find security in human relationships that can and will at some point falter.

But for what profit? 

And at what price?

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:35-37

If we spend our lives  striving for more more more things here on earth, and lose sight of what really matters--bringing glory to God--we miss the whole point of living.

Jesus promised us a mansion in Heaven.

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3 

He also cautioned us not to lay up treasures on earth.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 

The things we have here on earth remain when we die. You can't take it with you.

But if we build up treasures in Heaven, our hearts will be far more Christ-centered. Our desire will be for the Lord! As we serve and grow closer to Him, He will bless us far beyond our wildest dreams. Not merely with things here on earth, but with eternal rewards and blessings. Are you more concerned with your mansion here on earth or the one Christ is building for you in Heaven?

Let's begin today to build up treasures in Heaven, for they will last for all eternity.

Introducing...

Introducing.... 2014! Now it's time to erase the "2013" on our school papers every time we forget it's a new year.

I'm sure you've looked back at 2013 and said, "Well, that went by quickly!" or maybe you said, "Wow, a lot changed this year!" or maybe you thought, "Oh, well, I didn't really reach my goals." or maybe you thought, "Oh, no. I'm going to be a senior in high school this year."

Or maybe you're like me, and all of these thoughts came into your mind at once.

And then come the new resolutions and the knowledge that next January, you'll be preparing for college.

But... have you stopped to think about how God blessed 2013? I think that after 15 days into 2014, it's about time for me to do that.

Looking back, I can see when God gave me wonderful friends, where He taught me that not having over 50 people at my 16th birthday party was okay, where He showed me who my true friends were when I needed someone to be there for me, where He divinely provided exactly what I needed in His timing.

If you haven't yet, stop and think about what God has done in your life in the past year; thank God for what He's going to do in the next. I can't wait to see what God is going to stir up in my life this year!