He is Patient

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

Right now, I am in a season where I am frustrated, I feel stuck, and I ultimately do not feel like I am obtaining the call God has on my life. 

I know full well that where God has me right now is exactly where I need to be. He's told me to stay faithful, trust Him, because His way is not going to look like the way I picture it, nor it is the way I think it is going to happen. That's the exciting thing about God; we cannot put Him in a box. 

2 Peter 3:9, stated above in red, has been a constant reminder to me so far this week that God is not slow to fulfill the promises He's made to me. But that's only have the good news, He is patient toward me. I do not know about you, but that encourages my heart so much. I fuss, complain, get frustrated, and I try to take things into my own hands, but God is patient. 

Let me give you a picture. Think about a small child. You go to the store and they see candy they want or a toy they want, and you tell that small child they cannot have it. The child throws a fit because they hear no. Or maybe it's just not the right time for them to have it; however, you may react in a disciplinary way by punishing that child for their behavior. In other words, put yourself in the position of the small child. You are behaving in a way that is not necessary; however, God is so patient with you. He sits and waits for your tantrum to be over and then tries again with us. 

However, there is a third part of 2 Peter 3:9 and that is repentance. God doesn't want anyone to perish, that is why He offers a time for repentance. We get up from our tantrum we throw towards God because His way may not be how we want it to look and we pursue His way that is hard, narrow, but in the long run so rewarding. 

Do not be discouraged if the path God has you on doesn't look like every one's path. It's suppose to be different. Keep the faith, keep the courage, repent if you fall, get up, and run faster then you ever have before. Don't worry I am preaching to myself too. 

"He is patient towards you."

Land of the Living

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:13-14 (ESV)

This has become one of my all time favorite scriptures. This is basically my life in a nutshell. I always wondered where I would be if I never saw the goodness of God, if He never rescued me, if He never showed Himself faithful. 

I love how the Amplified version puts this scripture: 

"[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14 (AMP)

God has really been challenge me on the idea of endurance, perseverance, and expecting Him in all things. 

It is so simple: seek the Lord, and you will find Him. Expect Him, and He'll show up. He is faithful. 

We so often let our minds defeat us. We wonder, "Is God actually gonna show up?" or "Where's God now?" or "God isn't gonna bring this promise to pass." But let me tell you sir/ma'am, God is so faithful and good. You will see the Lord goodness and see life, but only if you expect the Lord, wait on Him, and put all your hope in Him. 

Let your heart be still, throw on courage, and wait for the Lord. He won't stand you. HE is a good daddy.

But it also takes action on your part...

"So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you." Luke 11:9 (AMP)

You keep asking God, keep seeking Him, you keep showing yourself faithful, and God will open up doors to do. Just ask Him, expect Him, hope in Him. 

It's not easy, it's hard, it takes endurance, effort, and perseverance, but it is the way to life. It's a life that is worth living.

I am known

Have you ever felt so close to someone that you know every little detail about them? You know when they are happy, sad, upset, angry. You can just look at their face and know exactly what they are thinking.

That is exactly how God is in our own lives. He knows our failures, our secrets, our sin, our desires, our thoughts, our dreams, our visions. He knows EVERYTHING about us. That is such a comforting truth.

I am so thankful I have God that knows me so well. He knows how to comfort me, talk to me, spend time with me, and pour out His love on me.

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it." Psalm 139:1-6

"My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:15-16

The amazing thing is, even when I don't know what my future holds and what the next step in life is, God knows. As long as I keep pursuing His heart, He will direct my steps. When you think no one knows you, or you are not important, let me tell you that you are known by God, and you are a big deal to God.

Eve

It's Just Me

Hello again,

So, I started another blog...I know what you're thinking, "When is she just going to stick with one?" But this time I'm here to stay.

Well, I guess I'll start off by letting you get to know me:

1. I'm 19 years old. I'm a May baby.
2. I am a Freshman at Liberty University Online.
3. I am studying Religion and Christian Ministry. (My goal is youth ministry)
4. I attend The Refuge
5. I love horses and Ellie Goulding
6. My favorite Candy is Peanut M&M's
7. I love God
8. I don't really have that one best friend
9. I can play a little guitar, I'm trying to learn
10. I love doing random things
11. I want to be a Youth Pastor

So, there's a few things about me. My passion is youth and to see them live victorious lives through Jesus Christ. I have a heart for the lost, broken, misfits, and youth. I want to preach the Gospel to the nations and go wherever God leads me. His plans for my live will be accomplished.