His Thoughts. His Plans

So I am going to deviate before I even start this blog. I just love God's love. It just gets me so excited because of how dynamic it is. All of his love is wrapped aroundt giving and sacrifice. He gives from Heart. He is love. God is just beautiful. He is beautiful in his plans for us, He is beautiful in his guidance. He is even beautiful in our storms. The fact that we can have a relationship with his is so great. I just love him.

I love the idea of how Gods plans for us works out. We never even know what God's plans are for us yet he knows. He has designed our lives in a way that honors him and lifts us up at the same time. Before we were ever even a thought. Before we were ever a twinkle in our parents eyes, God had a plan for us. ( Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about ou. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations- that's what I had in mind for you Jeremiah 1:5 MSG) It's kind of cool that He had everything together for us.

It easy to get distracted about the plans for our life. Often because of what the world has become as of late, that time is not on our side and we have to get what we can when we can get it. We don't have that sense of time that was evident before christ showed up. People had to wait years in order to see the things of God manifest. One thing I do know though is that they ALWAYS manifested. Why? Because God is a great God and his words never come back to him void."So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it". Isaiah 55:11 KJV We never have to worry about something that God promised us to never show up unless we are not in his will. Other than that we should definitely reap the harvest of God's blessings. 

Another thing that might get us crazy and off plan is the idea that we as humans don't have the first clue of what God has planned for us, so we worry become doubtful then ultimately take things into our own hands. God gave us all free will. If we put our hands on to what God naturally had his hands on he moves out of the way. Because if we are both operating on a thing then it is no longer free will. With God being supreme it automatically becomes him controlling us.. That won't happen. If we allow God to guide us or to inform us on his plans then it makes things a little more easier. The best way to know what God's plan for us is to ask him! "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 KJV In some translations thoughts is translated into plans!

Because we are part human and because our flesh likes to do things on it's own there are a lot of times when we let ourselves take our own plans and run with them instead of consulting God. Then we get mad when the plans that we thought we had going for us don't work out. Quickly forgetting that  "I am the vine you are the branches, the one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me." John 15:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible 

It might look like its working for a little bit but then you notice that things aren't working out the way you thought that they should. Then you get mad at God when your plans change when in reality if we just stick to God's plan for our life we won't have to worry about the wandering plan. 

So what happens when we lives God's way? Galatians 5:22-24 says in the message bible "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard- things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good-- crucified." to be honest I couldn't just stop the verses there:
25-26 since this is the kind of life WE have CHOSEN, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original."

Every single one of us is destined to do something great for God in some way when we stick to his plans. Why not find out what it is? Then when you find out GO WITH IT! But first you must pray! PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Without Prayer you will never know the plans. A chair will never tell the creator what is designed to do. The creator decides what the chair will do, how much weight it will hold, what color it looks like, what type of wood, does it interlock with other chairs. If it is stackable, If it has a fluffy seat or not. Let God create you, lead you and guide you to be something beautiful and to do something great!

Don't leave Yourself Out

This is just an inspiration to those who feel left out. I just want to say that you are not left out. God has called you to something higher and something greater. It's not always easy when your destined to be set apart. When your life no longer reflect that of this world. When your calling supersedes the limits placed by man. Don't ever for a second doubt your life. Remember that we are each individual people not everything in this world is for you. But what is for you....is for you, and no one and nothing can take that away from you.

 You are special. You are one of a kind. You are a part of an infinite plan. If you stick with it you will see your reward( And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not Galatians 6:9). You will see what your hard work, your sacrifice, your tears, your bloodshed will render. That peace that comes..... No one will be able to take that away. The Joy... No one can steal it. What ever that thing is that you feel you are missing out on, take some time and weigh the reasons that you feel you need to do it, feel it, be around it ( or them). If your motive is not aligned with Godly things and only reflects selfish thoughts then leave it alone. Following that leads you right down a path that will take time to circle back from where you first stepped off. You don't have time for that. If everyone else is walking down that path... You stay straight. ⁽Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention MSG).Each of us MUST go down our own paths that God has set up for us.(For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do Ephesians 2:10 ESV)I know it looks like other's paths are far more fun and more entertaining but don't try to jump ship on your own path. When your going through a rough time that other person may be going through something good, yet when your going through a good time that same person may be going through something rough. You trying to follow down paths could work something like traffic lights down a busy highway, If timed just right you could get all the red lights... or all the green lights.Instead of putting yourself at risk to run through every yellow light to not be stopped by someone else's red light... live your own life.

Now with all that being said...GO out there and do what God has called you to do! Have courage once you are operating in your calling, you aren't really going to be thinking about what someone else is doing with their life unless it is something that your calling affects or affects you personally(Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest Joshua 1:9). Don't volunteer to be that person that stays home and does nothing. To afraid to spread your wings, to afraid to interact with others. No. Go out there and use the gifts God gave you. Then you won't have time to think if your being left out. Remember you are part of a big picture. There is no way TO be left out... unless you leave yourself out.

Want friends? Be one (A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24 KJV).
You want places to go? Go where God leads you (The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NLT)

Also when you do it Gods way.. You wont ever have to compromise your integrity.

Its really just that simple.

You have a choice now. To allow yourself to be left out, or to be great and be included in God's plan!

Selah!!

What are You Thinking?!

   After talking with a friend I realized that so many of us are affected by our thoughts. We never truly realize how much the things we think about determine the types of things that we act on. When looking on my Twitter I realized that people were being affected by music or certain shows that came on tv. Then they comment on how they wonder why they are feeling a certain type of way.

Have you ever taken the time to think about the thoughts that you let run rampant in your mind? Take a min a do so. Think about all the different types of thoughts you had yesterday. Where they inspiring, encouraging, life giving thoughts, or did they happen to be lustful, hateful,depressing thoughts? Do you know that the things you think about and let affect your heart are the things that you naturally act out?

"Above all else,guard your heart, because everything you do flows from it" Proverbs 4:23 NIV

   I have been seeing on twitter about a new album that was leaked by an artist that seems to get people feeling "some type of way". That their music basically puts you in a mood to be down and sad and miss people that you really shouldn't even be thinking about. I know many of us joke about that, but not many of us think about what that sets us up to do. You have to be careful about what you let get into your heart and into your mind. Not saying the music might not have great beats and good lyrics but it really only helps build strongholds.

So let me break this down:
First comes the stimulation ( if i can call it that). That is that one song that makes you lust or, or seeing that girl or guy that you think is very attractive, or those bills that you just got and you realize that your finances are not well enough to pay them and this frequently the case. Maybe even that one person that makes you mad.

Second comes the thought. Thoughts that make you imagine maybe the storyline of that lustful song, putting yourself and someone who is not even married to you in the situation. Knowing that your sinning in your mind. The same goes with seeing that attractive guy or girl. Over and over you constantly think about maybe what their "love faces" look like. ( yes, I went there. I am only going to be real with you) The bible says in matthew 5:28 KJV

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman (or man) to lust after her has already committed adultery with her already in his heart"
( notice it mentions nothing about being married, so in essence your already cheating on your future.)

You also have the thoughts that your not going to be able to survive because you have bills that need to pay that you repetitively can not pay. Leading to thoughts of worry. but " can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:27. No so stop worrying. Does not your God provide for you? Have you not made it to this point already?

And lastly those thoughts that come from negative feelings towards someone who has been negative towards you. 

Psalms 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!  Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Proverbs 19:11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ~ Thomas A’ Kempis

Ok lets try to speed this up some, So after you have these thoughts you have a choice. You can either sit and contemplate them all day which leads to strongholds. Or you can take the thoughts captive and make them obey God and his word

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,  
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Taking our thoughts captive:
 Step 1:Acknowledge the thought, but only enough to know that it is not something be thought of, so you can take measures to capture it. then Don't think the thought. A thought will only stay around for as long as you think on it. 
Step 2: PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!  the moment you realize that your thought is not anything that lifts up  God in anyway. Pray that the thought be removed.
Step 3: Philippines 4:8 it! 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Step4: remove the stimulus! If you are not spiritually strong enough to be around what causes those thoughts then you need to remove it completely away from you.
Step5: Let someone know of the thoughts so that they may be in accountability with you to make sure that you aren't around things that provoke them.
Step6: if the thought reoccurs go back to step 2-6

It is so important that you take you go through these steps Because they will definitely help you think better thoughts and live a better life! The devil will try to throw fiery darts (also known as those bad thoughts) but you just have to put on the whole body of armor in order to beat him out. These steps help that!

Challenge for today:
At some point today try to find some encouraging or convicting scriptures that you can write on notecards what God's word says about some of the thoughts that you have. That way you can realize why that thought is wrong. Then how God will help you overcome. Also Practice these 6 steps when ever you have that bad thought.

I love you, but God loves you more
~Chelsee

Be a Friend!

"A man that hath friends must shew him self friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" Provers 18:24 (KJV)

College, work, or where ever can seem pretty lonely when we don't have friends. How willing are you to step out of your comfort zone in order to make new friends? In order to make a friend you have to be a friend. You have to reach out to them. In some cases they may reach out to you before you get the chance. In my opinion…. Be First. Don't be ashamed about it! The hand of Jesus works through relationships. You don't know if the person would end up being your best friend, spouse, or whatever the case because you never even said Hi to the person.

Don't worry about rejection. It comes. It's never personal towards you. That person just may be going through it. Instead still smile, still be loving and still say hello. People even when they act hard deep down they like to know that someone is taking the time to pay attention to them. Be that person! If you don't believe me. Get on twitter one morning and count all of the tweets of people talking about how they didn't get a good morning message. They may be acting like they are playing around but the truth is…. They really want someone to tell them good morning.

So today I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Say hello to someone new. Introduce yourself while standing in a line. Randomly tell someone you love them or that Jesus loves them ( it might creep them out but they will realize that they needed to hear it). Give a hug to a stranger. Do something that shows you friendly. Pay for someones meal. Anything. But make sure that you do it in love and that you are genuine about it, because no one and I repeat NO ONE wants a fake friend!

Now Go show yourself FRIENDLY! :-)

I Can Do All Things!

"12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, wether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me" Philippians 4:12,13 (NIV)

The first days of school are so crucial. "Why?" you may ask. I'll tell you. First you have already judged how easy or hard a class may be due to its name and what you have heard about the class from others. Second upon receiving your syllabi you confirm in your heart or tear down what you thought the class was about and your ability to complete the class. Many people have already given up on a whole semester by the end of the first day just because it seems like its going to be hard.

I used the first part of this verse because we know that we how we have gone through college:
What we already know we can pass
What we think we know we will fail
If we are going to be surrounded by friends
If we are going to be lonely

We have learned, well accepted rather what we have gone through as it always being the way it will go. But this is what I will submit to you. You can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens you!
You can pass every class make as many friends as you want. You can be completely successful as long you know that you are going to have to depend on Christ to get you through. You also have to do your own work (LOL) but he will help you and take away your anxieties if you just rest in him every day.

So for today I challenge you that when you hear your professor going over the syllabus that you say to yourself "I will pass this class, because I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!" If you feel that doubt try to creep in you just  keep repeating it. Let God's truth cancel out the doubt you feel.

I hope you have a great 1st day of class! You got this!

~Chelsee

Starting Off Right.

"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing all fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." (Psalms 1:1-3 NLT)

With the upcoming school season I felt led to start a devotional, or at least to set up an atmosphere that helps usher you into your prayer or worship time which leads to a better day. It is my desire that I completely open myself up to God so that He may use me to encourage you so that you may find an eternal joy and have a loving relationship with God on a daily basis! I am so excited to see the things God will lead my hands to tell you, and all that I will learn from it as well. I pray that this will be a big help to you as you go about your day. With each devotion I would like to leave you with a challenge that you can try that will let you apply the things you have read, because it will mean more to you when you step out and hold the word to the fire to see God move in your life!

So for the first challenge its really simple.
I know the day is almost over but find a scripture that you can meditate on today. To meditate is just to think constantly about that verse all day. You think about how that verse can apply to you and you make pictures in your mind of you applying the verse as well. Go ahead and leave a comment of your verse. Your comments help others. ( After any devotional, unless it is more personal than you would like to discuss, go ahead and post it. Your testimony of that day has the power to help another!)

~ Chelsee