The Power of Love

This past summer a whirlwind of changes occurred in my life. I lost a lot of friends dear to my heart and was truly questioning God and his direction in my life. 

July 10th, 2012 was a morning at Spencer Lake Youth Camp that I knew God was speaking straight to my heart. I woke earlier than usual, which just to be clear...I am not a morning person. However, I knew that I needed to seek after Him and just spend time in His presence.

I had a set devotion I was going through this past summer and it was fantastic however, on that crisp early morning I knew I needed to trust God and stray off from my "routine."





I flipped open to 1 John 4:17-21: 

• God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. 
• There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.

Now before I get to my favorite part of this scripture, I just want to reflect on those verses. 

How powerful is that? We need to soley love like God does because we LIVE in Him and He LIVES in us. We cannot be fearful because there is no room for it. We have such a powerful love living inside of us, if we allow it, that banishes fear. What a great concept.

As I looked on I read words that hit me straight in the face. Listen to this...

• If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see?

Wow. I think time to time this is such a crippling issue in our society today. Sure, people treat me unkindly...but who am I to judge? God loves me unconditionally. He loves me even at times when I turn my back and question him. All I can do is love the way God loves. 

Lord...give me the gift of faith...Teach me to live this moment only, looking neither to the past with regret, nor the future with apprehension. Let love be my aim and my life a prayer. ~Roseann Alexander Isham

Surroundings

As my junior year is coming to an end I am forced to reflect. I look back at the year and I notice how challenging it truly was, in every realm. However, I also realize that I had a best friend who stuck by my side through it all.

Now you may be wondering how my amazing best friend ties in with the title "Surroundings." Well, I am here to talk about people you essentially surround yourself with.

In life the choices we make are what shape our character. That is what is SO great about our God. He gives us the freedom of choice to choose how we live our lives for Him. However, this also means that we can make choices that may harm or corrupt us and our overall character. 

1 Corinthians 15:33- Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.

My question to you is who do you surround yourself with?  Surround yourself with people who lift you up and help you GROW in not only your relationship with God but push you to be a better person overall. 

My best friend has CONSISTENTLY pressed me to become someone who is a LIGHT in this dark world. She not only loves on me through my rough times but constantly reminds me of my worth in the eyes of her AND Jesus. I encourage you to find someone like my best friend Emma. Someone you can look up to and someone who is so deeply rooted in their relationship with Jesus that it rubs off on not only you, but others.

 We are the change the world is waiting for, we've got a love the world is desperate for. 

Find someone who challenges you spiritually everyday and walks on the same path beside you. A friend who will change the world with you. 

Skyscraper

 

Many of you may be familiar with the song "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato...but what you may not know is that it can be related to your walk with Christ.

One evening as my friend and I were listening to the Boyce Avenue cover of "Skyscaper" we heard a few particular lines and began to really analyze of what they could also mean. Now I know what you may be thinking...this is what she and her friends do in their free time? And to answer your question, no we do not. However,they seemed to jump out at me if you will, and got me thinking.

In this modern world it is easy to break down, completely lose it, and fall to the ways in which society is portrayed. However, YOU have the ability to rise from those low valleys to high mountains. 

The chorus starts with the lines "You can take everything I have, You can break everything I am, Like I'm made of glass, Like I'm made of paper." This can easily be translated into the struggles that we encounter on a day to day basis. We are constantly thrown into temptation where it be through work, school, friends, family etc. I know first hand how difficult life can be and how challenging it is to trust someone completely...but God will take your worries and burdens and give you strength to push through any obstacle.

Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

As the song continues to go on it plays my favorite part of the whole song. "Go on and try to tear me down I will be rising from the ground Like a skyscraper!" No matter what others, or even Satan, may whisper in your ear God is ALWAYS there, right beside you, to help you RISE from your struggles.

John 16:33- I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Therefore, whatever the circumstance...whatever is thrown your way...you can rise from the ground, from the ashes, from the valley... because God has overcome this world and you can make it through any battle.

Friends

Someone once stated that "As we grow up, we realize it becomes less important to have a ton of friends, and more important to have real ones." This has got to be one of my most favorite sayings there is. As we go through life there is no doubt that everyone needs a friend. We face trials and tribulations where we need someone to lean on. We also experience some of the best moments of our life but what are those moments without people to share our excitement with? Find true friends to do life with, this may not always mean dozens of friends but rather a few true ones. Find wonderful meaning in friendship and cherish the ones who are always true and there for you.

Plans to Prosper

Jeremiah 29:11

Most people want to know what the future holds. There is a fearful sense of not knowing what's ahead that tends to be scary. It's hard, as imperfect human beings, to take a step back and just say "God, you are in total control. Lead me to where I am supposed to be." This verse illustrates that God has plan for every one of us and we should not worry. Every individual has a unique purpose in this life and even though life may have bumps in the road just know that you were made for a purpose—made by someone far greater than we can ever imagine. Be strong and know that God is God; so even if there are trials and tribulations you are going through, remember, there is a purpose for those hardships, and He is with you 100% of the way.