Devotion: STAND

Stand by Britt Nicole

¹⁰ "And if you offer yourself to [assist] the hungry
And satisfy the need of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
¹¹ “And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

 -Isaiah 58:10-11AMP 

My mom asked me what my favorite scripture is these days, and I told her the one above out of one of my favorite scriptures of Isaiah. It's about how the Lord will CONTINUALLY guide you. No matter what season we may be in. I can always see the Lord's hand in whatever is happening in my life.

He's always there.

Even when we feel like we're in a desert season; the Lord's promise is that you will be like a watered garden, and water will spring forth... his waters never fail us in a desert place. Who is our strength? The Lord. 

But what do I love about that verse? It's the verse before that really gets me. Something that helps me get my eyes off of myself, and back onto the Lord is by getting myself serving, and loving others which is what we're meant to do as Christians.  

How does light rise in darkness?

How does gloom become like noonday?

Offer yourself to assist the hungry, satisfy the needs of the afflicted. 

I love how scripture answers all of our questions. That's the living water. Are we seeking HIS kingdom first? Then all things are added. All things aren't added if we don't seek. 

How is the scripture written in Matthew 6:33? Seek his kingdom first. 

May you see the Lord's hand in the midst of the season of life you're in, may you hold-fast to hope, and if you're in a desert season, may the Lord show you that you are strong. May you serve, and love others. May light rise in the darkness of your life, and may gloom become like the noonday. Serve. Don't stop serving.

End it movement

Instead of putting a ❌ on my hand today to bring awareness to the estimated 27 million salves around the world; I'm going to pray for the women and children world wide who are being prostituted that I've gotten to look in the eyes of and pray for, and offer a way out to. #staydangerous #dosomething #endit #enditmovement #sertministries

Devotion: Instructions

"Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” ² So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.

³ And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness." 

-Ezekiel 3:1-3nkjv

Now why in the world would I put a picture of flat funny looking cookies with that scripture? Well, the Lord has a funny way of teaching me in every little thing I do. Even when my cousin Gracie and I have a late night baking party and the cookies turn out not so tasty looking. 

Here's our conversation as she pulled these funny looking cookies out of the oven: 

Me: what happened to the cookies?!! 

Gracie: I dunno

Me: Did you follow the recipe? 

Gracie: nope, I hate recipes. I dunno what happened.

Me: Duh!! It's just like the bible. You have to follow it or else your life will lead to destruction. Now the cookies are ruined!! 

Gracie & Maddie: hahaha

Don't let your life be funny looking cookies. Let's read our bibles, follow the recipe that the Lord gives us of instruction and do as it says. His word is there for us as a guide, a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path so that we can live RIGHTeously. Get into your word today, it's sweet as honey.

Strength Made Perfect in Weakness

“But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10amp

Look up the song "So Faithful" by Kari Jobe, the lyrics spell out those verses so wonderfully! 

It's something no one likes to talk about, our weaknesses. 

For when I am weak, YOU (Jesus) make me strong. 

Let's STRENGTHEN our weaknesses, by letting Christ shine through us in them. 

The Lord is for us, and he will never forsake us in our weakness. 

When we're persecuted- his loving kindness & mercy show. 

When we face hardships- the Lord truly makes us strong. 

When we're distressed- do we rejoice? It's when the Lord shines. His power shows. 

Then again, I remember this. What is persecution? What are hardships? What really is distress? It varies from people's circumstances all around the world, and always remember that someone would love to have the trial your facing rather than the one you're in. I'm glad I've gotten a taste of the rest of the world and know somewhat that my trials in America aren't anything compared to what other women my age face daily in war torn countries. 

I hate the saying "we are all sinners."

At one time we were. But. What are you saved from? Do you ask the Lord to perfect your weakness? How do you see yourself? As more than a conqueror, or do you see yourself as defeated? For the same power that conquered the grave lives in you. Run this race everyday, get stronger in your walk with the Lord. Let's be better. 

Friends, remember. You're less than perfect, but MORE than flesh and bones. And you are cherished, and loved. You can do this thing called life, and no circumstance is too hard for the Lord. Let his power shine. You'll see it!  

LOVE

 Happy Love Song-- "Love" by Jadon Lavik

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that word?

Love can be a feeling, a person, a place, a thing, an action, a taste, a smell, an animal... 

What is love to you?

I'll share with you what love is to me.

So here it is.

Love:: Charity. 

I grew up reading the KJV and so I guess you could say I'm biased to that version, and it's the version I love to just sit and listen and read God's word without question, one that I just take in and swallow.

This word, "charity" is replaced with "love" lots of times in the KJV. 

Love serves. And love is of action. 

When we love something, how do we react to it, and how do we treat it? 

Let's learn to serve the things that we so claim to "love." 

As I sit here and write about examples of love I've seen, and love in my life I hope it encourages you to dig deeper into life on this Valentine's Day, and think more about how you can serve rather than calling it "singles awareness day" or even if you're in a relationship, don't take charity(love) out of the picture. Love goes deeper than some silly holiday once a year.

Some examples of LOVE in my life: 

• Jesus, he paid the eternal sacrifice for me so that I could LIVE a joyful life and have salvation. 

• My family, we stick together and help each other...truly love and serve each other in every season of life. We're good at never forgetting to laugh, and love. We help each other persevere and fight the good fight of faith. 

• Warriors, they fight evil 24/7 that most of the world pretends doesn't exist so that we can have a peaceful and safe life. Love always protects.

• Little ones loving each other, babies who raise babies around the world. 

• People leaving behind their own "lives" that were building their worldly kingdom, surrendering all and choosing to serve others and build God's kingdom. 

• Friends who sharpen each other, encourage one another, and make each other laugh when it's needed most. 

• Believers who come along side a mission & vision and support it. It's a beautiful thing when the body of Christ provides the needs of one another.  

• Love is prayer, interceding for one another and listening to our Savior.

• A little boy (3 years old) carrying water jugs up a steep hill in Kampala back to his families home. I love to see children serving and helping in every way possible. 

•  Ladies in the slums jumping for joy when they receive bibles in their languages. 

• Love is worship, it's praise and thanksgiving.

• Love is when families of missing loved ones stay up for days and look for their family/friend. There's nothing like seeing a family reunited.

• Love is obedience, love is trust, love never fails. 

Keep loving in deed, in word, and in action. He first loved us.