The Previous Blog

It should have been posted on 5/15/13. Sadly, I had saved it as a draft.

Are You Putting Something Before Christ?

"But when we hold something back, we are exchanging that which we refuse to surrender for the opportunity to follow Jesus," (Idleman, Not A Fan, pg. 206). What are we not giving up? We should write down the things we are not willing to part with in order to follow Jesus. I guarantee you they are not worth it. I wrote down my list and shake my head at it. Jesus did not partially take the cross. Why am I partially giving myself to Him? Either I'm in it or I'm not. It's real simple. We tend to complicate it. It's not complicated. We are simply excusing keeping our wants. Our wants have to be godly wants. In other words, our wants have to be what God wants. It's not about us. It's about Jesus. I found myself reevaluating my relationship with Christ. The verdict: fan. I refuse to keep that. I want to be a follower and for that I'm willing to give up my selfishness for Him. I'm done with what I want. I'm embracing what He wants.

What Are We Offering God

I'm in Genesis now and it is awesome. I'm reading after the flood and how Noah offered God a burnt offering. (Genesis 8:20). It lead me to ask the question of: what are we offering God? Ae we even offering Him anything with exception to our prayers, asking something from Him and offering Him nothing in return?! Why can't we offer Him something without it being asked of us?! God didn't ask for the offering but Noah did it anyways. God had just done something awesome for him and his family just like God does something for us every day by waking us up!!! We take waking up for granted as if we are entitled to see another day. Smh. Let us give an offering to The Lord. It doesn't have to be monetary but something from us to Him-something that will please Him. Something from our heart. Let us show our thanks to a wonderful, long suffering, loving God, Who showed His love by sending His Son, Jesus, down to die for us.

Waiting for Your Husband...Don't!

     At 32 years of age, I have been blessed to witness the numerous births and marriages of my family members and friends. I'm thrilled for each of their blessings. God is good! Yet, there is a longing within me wanting my own husband and my own children. My desiring for him and looking for him has caused me to look away from the One that is mine already. The Holy Spirit gave me insight in what I need to be doing instead of looking for. I should be married to Christ and not worry about my husband...he will come in time.
     It's true ladies. I think many of us have the "Cinderella" mindset of marriages and children. We fantasize about our happy ending. We get tangled by what we want that we fail to realize what we need. What I mean by marrying Christ, I mean giving Him all of you. Don't allow yourself to be separated from Him. After all, we are His bride.
     I have spent numerous times thinking about who my husband is and how our life will be and what our babies names will be (Esperanza, Israel, Faith, Grace, Hannah, Paul...etc). I call this "Never Never Land". I should have been thinking about how to improve my relationship with Christ. How do I improve it? How much am I giving myself to Him? Do I love Him & Him only?
     People, if this was The Scarlet Letter, I would have to wear an A on my shirt. Why? Because I have cheated on Christ. I have left Him, seeking a man when I should have been seeking Him. I have thought that the love of  man is more than than the love of the Man. I have waited on a man to come when I should have been waiting for Him to come. I have thought of him when I should have thought of Him.
     I think we are getting point. For you ladies that are waiting on him, don't. Wait on Him. Look for Him. Cling to Christ. Marry Jesus. I guarantee you, if you put your focus in on Him and everything on Him, you will be satisfied and will feel the love that no man could ever give you. Plus, Jesus will supply all of your needs.

Your Sister in Christ,
Mary

Let Everything Go

I have been holding on to too much and all of that spewed out with a conversation with my friend. I mean I went into crying mode, talking to her about how I haven't let go of my grandmother's death or my nephew's and how I cope with eating. I let everything flow out of me. I realize that I have been holding on to things that need to be let go. I can't change things with my grandmother or my nephew. Lord knows my heart aches for them. It's not easy to say goodbye to a loved one, especially a child.

I've been wanting to talk to someone about this for awhile. It came out to her and let me know that I have to be real with God. There are things that I still hold onto with myself and with others. I haven't been able to let them go. Holding in my feelings have made me feel miserable. It came to me awhile ago. In order to grow, we must let go. We can't hold on. Jesus invites each and everyone to come to Him. He said that He would give us rest. I love that verse because as I sit here crying, I realize the Truth. I realize the comfort that He gives and His love for us. I realize that my Lord mourns with me. He cares for me. He wants to carry me if I only let Him. He wants me to let go.

Here it is: let go and grow.

Matthew 11:28-30

King James Version (KJV)

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I'm letting go. Thank You Jesus. 

God Has Done Extraordinary Things for Us!

God has done extraordinary things for us! He loved us so much that He sent His Son down for us, Who willingly gave up His life for us! He has used extraordinary people in extraordinary situations to accomplish His Will. He has not nor does He want for any of us to perish but to repent (2 Peter 3:9b). He has been very patient with us. Let us give up those hellish things and chase after heavenly things-chase after God the way He has chased after us. :)

Stop The Self Entitlement Attitude

People have to really let go of that "self-entitlement" attitude that they carry around. As if cussing someone out is going to really get you far in life. I shake my head at some of the things people say. I'm well aware, people, that the economy is in a downward state. Having said that, you are not entitled to every single thing in life. My mother has this saying that she told me early on in life. Life is not Fair. I believe that too. You are not going to always get what you want or think you deserve. So many complaints going on. How about stop complaining and start kneeling in prayer to God. How about take the good with the bad.

It is hard to deal with someone or empathize with them when they think they are entitled to every single thing. It's an easy attitude to catch. I have found myself like them. I shake my head at myself as well. Having said that, I have never cussed a person out for doing their job. Never! Granted, I don't like cuss words and am pretty non confrontational. Still, the point is, the attitude has to go. People have to start treating each other with respect. I will leave y'all with this from the One Who knows everything, Jesus, my Savior:

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12

Keep it Real People,
Mary