Loneliness

Feeling lonely? You're not alone. Pretty much everyone on earth has experienced loneliness in one way or another. Even if it's for a short period of time.

Lately, I've been experiencing loneliness. I don't really know why... but it's a little hard for me to admit. Also, God has been bringing people to me who are going through loneliness as well. So I thought it would be a good idea for me to write about it since it's something that I'm going through and something that others around me are going through.

First thing that I want to say is this.... God is the only One who can satisfy your loneliness. Seriously. Nobody else can. If you only remember one thing from this post, this is the thing you need to remember: Jesus truly satisfies us! Here are some passages that have been helpful to me:

"For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." - Psalm 107:9

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to Me; hear that your soul may live...." - Isaiah 55:1-3a

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25-26

God's Word says that He satisfies. So when we start feeling like, "If only I had friends.." Or, "If only I had friends who were like this..." Or even, "If only I had a boyfriend/girlfriend (or was married).... then I wouldn't feel lonely anymore." I can't tell you enough that these are such LIES! DON'T BELIEVE THEM. When you start thinking that way, pull out a verse like Psalm 107:9 and trust that Jesus is the One who will satisfy your soul. Trust in Him and KILL that thought. Put it to DEATH! These thoughts are going to lead you straight toward discontentment. If you aren't content without some kind of relationship right now, then you aren't going to be content in that relationship later on. You need to find your contentment in the One who never changes.

The second thing I want to do is ask this question: Is loneliness a sin?
No. It's not a sin. Loneliness is an emotion. But it can (like other emotions) lead to sin. If you truly are alone, then you usually feel alone, right? But if you dwell on the fact that you're lonely, you will become discontent. And discontentment IS a sin.

We should strive to be content with what we have.

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation  I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5

We need to put off discontentment and put on thankfulness. We're told so many times in the Bible to be thankful.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever." - Psalm 118:1

"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving..... giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.." - Ephesians 5:4, 20

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Put off discontentment and put on thankfulness? Easy enough, right? NOT. It's a tough thing to do. And you can't do this on your own. Not without Christ. Jesus says that we can't bear fruit apart from Him.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Pray and ask God to change your heart. Ask Him to strengthen you to do the things that He has called you to do. I can do all things through what? Through "Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)

This is the last thing I want to say about loneliness. As believers in Christ, Jesus was alone for us. He understands how it feels to be alone. In fact, He knows more about being alone then we will ever know! He was not only abandoned by His own disciples..... He was forsaken by the Father Himself.
God poured out His wrath on His only Son in our place so that we could be forgiven. God turned His face away from His precious Son. Jesus was completely alone.

There was a messed up relationship between us and God. Our sin separated us from Him. So what happened? Jesus came and died for that sin of ours so that we could have a perfect relationship with God. If we put our trust in what Christ did for us, then we can be with the One who says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)


Let's look at what Jesus said to His disciples and what He prayed to His Father right before He was taken away to be crucified.

"And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.' And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.'" - Mark 14:32-36

Why do you think Jesus was troubled? Because He KNEW what was coming. He knew that He would have to give up EVERYTHING. He gave up His LIFE in complete obedience to His Father. What amazing love!

There is so much more I could say.... I feel like I just scratched the surface of this issue. But I hope this was helpful to you. I pray that God would give hope to those of you who are feeling lonely. Don't forget look to Jesus for all of your happiness. Don't look away from Him.

And remember, Jesus died so that you don't have to be alone.

Give it all to God

I started reading 1 Samuel last week in my devotions. I've read it once before but I don't really remember most of it.

I was very encouraged by someone in the first chapter. It was a woman named Hannah. She was married to a man named Elkanah who had another wife, Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah didn't. It says that the Lord had closed her womb and that Peninnah would provoke Hannah grievously to irritate her about it (1 Samuel 1:5). Hannah would get so upset that she would cry and she wouldn't eat.

The whole family would go up to the house of the Lord every year to worship God and make sacrifices to Him.

Verses 9b-18 say,

Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She (Hannah) was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your servant and remember me and not forget Your servant, but will give to Your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."
As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, "How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you." But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him." And she said," Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

The Lord ended up giving her a son and she named him Samuel. She gave Samuel to God by sending him to live with Eli to serve God in the temple. Once this happened, she could only see her son once a year when the family would go up to the temple.

Can you imagine? You want a son soo badly that you can't even eat.... you pour out your heart to God asking him to grant this desire..... then God answers your prayer and you give your son away?

I'm so amazed at Hannah's faith in God. I want to be like this. I want to give everything to God. I want Him to have my whole life. Everything He gives me should be used for His glory.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. - Colossians 3:17

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Surrender your life to God by letting go of the world and putting your trust in Jesus. Then continue to surrender to Him by living your life to glorify His name.

Take the world and give me Jesus.

"God's Answers Are Wiser Than Our Prayers."

This season of my life has definitely been a season of confusion. The older I get, the more choices I have to make. And if you really know me......then you know that I strongly dislike making decisions. I just don't like it. The main reason why I don't like it is because I want to do what God wants me to do and I'm afraid that I'll make the wrong choice. I want Him to be glorified in the choices I make. I want to do what He wants me to do.

Lately it feels like I'm walking on a road and up ahead are different paths that I can go down. As I keep walking I stare at these paths in confusion. I constantly pray, "Lord, where do You want me to go?" No answer. Uncertain and kind of afraid I just keep praying, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Again, no answer. Stressed and feeling anxiety I start remembering that God is in control. I remember that He isn't going to take me somewhere that He doesn't want me to go.

I realize how worried I've been about the future. I've been so uncertain about what God has planned for me and I haven't been patient in waiting for His answers. Although, I'm amazed that God ALWAYS answers prayer. Always. But that doesn't mean His answer will always be yes. Sometimes it's a no.

In my house there's a picture hanging on the wall in the dining room that says, "God's answers are wiser than our prayers." This is so true! He knows the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11). And He works all things together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28-29). He is so much wiser than I could ever be. So if He closes a door or says no to something then I have to trust that it's for a good reason.

Just this last week God has been very gracious to me and has totally been opening and closing doors. The more I keep walking through life and approach these paths the more peace I have. I'm still confused about some of these decisions... But I know that when the time comes, He will show me which path to go down. He has always been faithful and always will be. His love never fails. So, even when things get confusing.. I trust in my Lord and Savior. And even though I makes mistakes and make wrong choices at times.. I know that Jesus has paid for them all on the cross. Again, His love never fails. <3

I want to be with Jesus. I want to see His face.

Okay, so yesterday morning when I woke up I wasn't feeling too good. I wasn't feeling good emotionally. So, I started praying and listening to some worship music. The more I prayed, the more I wanted Jesus to come and be with me. I wanted Him to sit with me and talk to me. I wanted to just sit at His feet and listen to Him. I wanted to hear Him say, "Rest on My strength. Look to Me for satisfaction." I wanted to hear Him speak with His mouth. I wanted to hear His voice and know what it sounds like. I wanted to see His face.

Something that the Lord showed me through this experience is that I CAN sit at the Lord's feet and listen to His words. I just need to open His word and see what He has to say. The word is "breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16) and it's "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12). The Lord has told us all that we need to know in His word.

Yet, there was still that longing to actually be with Him. Which is a good thing. I mean, He died for my sin and gave me eternal life. Why wouldn't I want to be with Him? But the hope that I have is that I WILL be with Him someday. And I WILL get to be with Him forever.

A passage that came to mind that morning was John 20:24-29. Jesus had died on the cross, was laid in a tomb and then rose from the dead three days later. He appeared to His disciples and showed them that He was alive. But here's what John writes in John 20:

24Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe."
26Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus is saying in that last verse that those who haven't seen Him yet believe in Him are blessed. Have you ever wished that you could have seen Jesus in person when He was here on the earth? I have. But I know that I'm blessed since I believe in Him even though I've never seen Him. It's definitely only by God's grace that I believe in His Son. So, thank You Lord!

Another verse that came to mind was Romans 8:24-25:

24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

That morning made me sooo excited for heaven! I'm seriously really stoked! I want my faith to be sight. I want to see Jesus as He is. But like the verse in Romans says, "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." I have to be patient. God has me on earth right now for a reason. But we should still be excited to be with the Lord.

So many verses about heaven are coming to my mind right now. Like Philippians 3:20-21,

 21But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.

And Revelation 21:3-4,

3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Even though I've never seen the Lord with my physical eyes, the Holy Spirit has shown me that Jesus truly is God. I see that I am a sinner. I see my need for Jesus. I see my need for adoption. I see my need for redemption. I see my need for a Savior. I once was blind but now I see.

Four things we forget about Thankfulness.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I'm sooo excited!

As you know, Thanksgiving is a time of the year where we all get together with family, gather around the table, eat food and talk about what we're most thankful for.

The problem with Thanksgiving is that there are things we tend to forget about.


1. We forget Who we are thanking.

I can be thankful for something but easily forget that God is the One who has blessed me with those things or those people. I am not in control of my life, God is. I didn't decide to be born, God did. I didn't save myself, God did (through Jesus). I didn't bless myself with the blessings that I have, God did. So, remember Who it is who has blessed you with what you have.


2. We forget that we don't deserve it.

How can we be truly thankful if we think we deserve the things that have been given to us? Let me rephrase that...
How can we thank the Sovereign God, who holds everything together if we think we deserve the things that He has allowed us to have?

Are you convicted yet? If not, then let me explain more.

You and I are sinners. We have rebelled against God. One sin is worthy of eternal death forever. Well my friends, it saddens me to say but I know that all of us have sinned more than we could even count. So, how much are you worthy of eternal death and punishment? Let's just say...it's obviously what we all deserve. Ephesians 2:1-3 says,

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

At the beginning of the passage it doesn't say, "And you were DYING in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked." Nope. That's not what it says. It says, "And you were DEAD in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked".

We are so sinful that we are (or were) spiritually dead. How can a dead man (or woman) be made alive again? I'll tell you in the next point. But do you see how unworthy we are of any blessing? We don't even deserve to be alive on this earth. So, remember that every gift you receive is something you don't deserve.

3. We forget about the biggest blessing of all.

Okay, so to answer the previous question, "How can a dead man (or woman) be made alive again?" let's look back at Ephesians 2. Starting at verse 4 it says,

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved" Verses 4-5

The ONLY way we can be made alive is through Christ's blood. Check out Romans 10:9:

"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Wait.....saved from what??? If we trust in Christ then we will be saved from the punishment that we truly deserve. God sent Jesus to die for our sins in our place to save our dead souls.

Sooo......what does this have to do with being thankful? It has EVERYTHING to do with being thankful. If we trust in Christ and NOT in ourselves for righteousness then God will allow us to be with Him one day in heaven.

That is truly the greatest gift anyone could ever receive. If you are a believer then this is the gift that you should be most thankful for. If Christ has given you eternal life...then what more could you want? Any other gift that you receive is just an added bonus to this amazing gift.

Thank Christ for His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead daily. For you truly don't deserve it.

4. We forget to continue to be thankful.

For me personally, I don't thank God nearly enough. In God's word it says that we need to be,

"giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

And to,

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks always and in everything? Give thanks in all circumstances? So...even in our trials??? Yes, we should thank God even in our trials.

Now lets look at Romans 8:28-29:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

We can be thankful because God uses our trials and suffering for good. That good is becoming more like Christ. Isn't that awesome??? He is so gracious to us!

Well, I hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving! And don't forget to thank the One who has created you! ;)

Psalm 103 (One of my favorite Psalms ever!)

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
   and forget not all His benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
   and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His way to Moses,
   His acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
    nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
     nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
     so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
     so far does He remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to His children,
     so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
     He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
     he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
     and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on
     those who fear Him,
     and His righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep His covenant
     and remember to do His commandments.
19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
     and His kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you His angels,
     you mighty ones who do His word,
     obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the Lord, all His hosts,
     His ministers, who do His will!
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
     in all places of His dominion.
     Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Is it really almost July?

This month went by so fast! But at the same time, God has taught me so much in the past month. These are some of the things that I did this month:

First, I had two dance recital's that went really well!

Second, I graduated from high school. (woot!)

And third, I went to the Resolved Conference which was really awesome! I learned so much while being there and was super encouraged.

Since I've graduated people have been asking me, "What does it feel like now that you've graduated?" Before I would just say, "It doesn't quite seem real to me yet." But now I would say, "I feel excited. I don't know what God has for me but whatever it is....bring it on."

In this new season of life God has been teaching me to trust Him more, to abide completely in Him and to hold everything in my life with open hands, ready and willing to receive what He gives me and to trust Him when He takes things away.

I want to get to where Paul was when he desired nothing but Christ. He was willing to let go of everything if it meant gaining Christ. Here's what he said to the Philippians:

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." Philippians 3:8-9

I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for me as I go through life with open hands to Him.

"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." Jeremiah 29:11