So Happy!

I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, 

and they shall be my people and I will be their God, 

for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

Jeremiah 24:7

There is absolutely nothing in life that gives me more joy than my relationship with Jesus.  No one is closer to my heart, even those here on earth whom I dearly love.  I came to know Jesus at a young age so I have spent most of my life getting to more intimately know Him.  He has lavished His love upon me and has forgiven me more times than I can count.  To know Him is to love and trust Him above all.

The more I surrender to God, the more I sense His Spirit within me.  As I relinquish, I gain.  One of my most treasured ways to get to know God more deeply is to soak up His Word.  That's why I love Bible Journaling so much.  It takes me into His Word in a unique way.  Sometimes I study deeply, sometimes I read for refreshment, pleasure and encouragement.  And sometimes I search for inspirations for my art expressions.  In January I plan to begin a Bible reading schedule that will take me through the Bible in a year.  I've done this many times and I never fail to find new treasures, new perspectives on how to apply His constant truths.  I love His Word...and I love every new facet of my God  I come to know through the pages of my Bible.  But one of the most treasured promises He offers is that I am His...I belong to Him.

This passage in the New Testament book of Galatians echos the theme of belonging to God through the redemptive work of Christ.  Once we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus in our lives we become a child of the King.

Through our inheritance in Christ, we have everything we need for fulfillment, happiness and joy.  We can live confidently because we know our Father and we know He will take care of us.  We are free to enjoy His blessings...one of the greatest being that His Spirit, His person, resides within our hearts.  That is a lifeline connection to our Father. 

I used the following Sweet 'n Sassy Stamp Sets:

So Happy 

(FREE with $50 purchase during November)

 Above stamps: Words of Life: Collection 2, Child of the King, and Exclamations.

God Showed Up!

Daniel 3: 17-25

17"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18"But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."…19Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king."25He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"…

Oh to have faith like Shadrach, Meshack, and Abegnego ... to literally walk into a burning furnace and know that God will deliver me and even if He doesn't, my faith will not waiver as I know that He has bigger, better plans for me and He will be with me as I walk through the fire.

My Bible journal today is to remind me of this...I went simple and created a bookmark using the Sweet N Sassy Exclamations Set and the image proclaiming "God Showed Up!"

What a great feeling and a huge blessing!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day!

Lyn

Do Others See Jesus?

If someone were to be constantly taking random snapshots of our lives, then lay them out as an album of our story, what would they see?  Would they consistently see Jesus through our lives?  What story would your life tell? 

A few years ago a woman came up to me in a church parking lot following a Bible study.  I'd taught Bible studies there for many years.  She was talking specifically about my teaching and was being very gracious and encouraging.  Then she told me something that really made me think. She recounted that she'd been under my teaching a number of times, and loved our studies together.  But something I'd said to her years ago was what really stuck in her head.  We were having a casual conversation apart from any church activity at all.  She was experiencing some difficult life experiences at the time.  She relayed something that I'd told her in that earlier conversation and she said she'd never forget it.  She'd forgotten some of the critical lessons of our Bible studies, but she would never forget what I'd said to her in a casual conversation.  She told me that it caused her to see herself in a whole new light, the light of Jesus.  She said for the first time in her life she could let go of who she'd been and embrace who she was.  THANKFULLY, I'd said something encouraging to her.  But our conversation in the church parking lot shook me a bit because I was riveted on how well, how clearly she remembered some casual, personal, one-on-one conversation from years earlier.  

That time, she saw Jesus in me.  But I got thinking about all the thousands of other conversations I had, interactions with others...family and friends...strangers...and I wondered if every conversation could be described the same.  I fear not.  Sometimes I think me least "seasoned" conversations might be with family.  Just think...our family members more than likely see the REAL album of our lives, not the church one.  It's a constant challenge to put Jesus before us rather than behind us when we are being the most real with those we know the best.

I certainly want other to see Jesus in every aspect of my life.  But having the character traits of Jesus requires measured discipline, and constantly having our witness and testimony on our minds.  It's not
a burden; reflecting Christ should be a joy, a privilege.  It's easier and better to extend grace than to be bitter.  It's more peaceful to be self-controlled than it is to be in a rage.  When we are faithful, we know that pleases God and that make us feel better.

I hope this post will be an exciting challenge...to live your life in such a way that others always see Jesus.  To think before speaking, to pray before acting...and to pay attention to the Spirit of God in us as we live out our lives.

I used the Sweet 'n Sassy stamps showcased below for this two-page spread.  The photo shots are stamped on designer paper then cut out and the words are just written on the page underneath.

 Capture This Moment and The Good News

Living Word and Exclamations

 

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