Not Of This World...

Whoa...was doing some reading and came across this:

“But to live like the world and say, I’m separated from the world in spirit, and I don’t have to separate from the world because I’m separated in spirit is contradictory. I know where this idea came from. If you sniff a little, you know what you smell? Brimstone. Because that statement comes from hell and certainly belongs there and does not belong in the Church of Christ. It is never possible to forsake the world in your spirit and not forsake it in reality.”
~A.W. Tozer (The Crucified Life)

Hits you right in the chest.

“

You’ve probably heard some guy say this: “I will clean my act up when I find the right girl.” It’s not true. The lie is that once you find the right girl, all your problems will go away—you just need the right motivation, right? Wrong! If Jesus isn’t motivation enough to grow in maturity and pursue godliness, then you are not ready to pursue a woman. 

The truth is that when you’re in a relationship, you get their crap on top of your crap. That’s double crap. It is hard to start a healthy relationship with two immature people drowning in crap. Men, get your life together first, know where you are going, then invite a girl to come along (Prov. 16:1–9).

”

—	Brandon Andersen

Woke Up Feeling New!

I have decided, with God's good of nudge of course, to step into the lane of goodness. No longer will I dwell on negative thoughts, actions, or people because they are all insignificant to His plan for me. Others should not be able to make me feel incompetent or unworthy. These folks do not create the standard, nor do they determine where I will go.
With much strength from my Father I will stand strong in the location He has put me in and do what I am supposed to do.
When my assignment is over and the next one comes, I will be the one moving on.
Leaving them to their works of discord with no one to cast it on. 

I am still full of joy.
I am still beyond blessed.
And not once has God ever ceased to be great to me.

Realizing that...and now I can once again dance in all this rain.

In Christ,
Allie J. 

Forward By 10, Backwards by 0

It's difficult to gain territory, and it's even harder to keep it! The enemy has plans to take it back and bind you yet again. But the Father's plans are greater! And His power and grace are more than sufficient to hold you up through it all.
"Even when the rain falls..Even when the flood starts rising. Even when the storm comes, I am washed by the water. Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet. Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me...I won't fall as long as you're around me."
Be still and know that He is God. Be encouraged by that fact.
In Christ,
Allie J.

I'll Be Praying for Her...*eyeroll*

Lately I've called myself "praying for my enemies" not realizing how truly selfish I was being. Sure, a few good days, extra cash, and a hobby will keep them occupied long enough to relieve my nerves...but how is that truly beneficial for what is obviously causing them their pain? In the scripture "Love your enemies..."(Matt5:44) the word agape tells me I should be praying for the highest good to come to them. And that is for them to know our Lord and in turn have their hearts "turned right".
Fight the bitterness! Be consistent, be compassionate, and embrace the development of a new brother/sister in Christ :)
In Christ,
Allie J

Having A Rough Day?

 Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."

Birthday Countdown!!

Lord willing, I'll be 20 in seven days..He’s been patient with this rebellious, stumbling, and helpless woman for almost twenty whole years! That’s incredible. I get impatient with people after a few minutes and yet He is patient- not desiring me to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). What have I to give in return? Nothing… What exactly do you give back to the God who gives us all things? What do you present to Him who has presented us with all blessings, whether temporal or spiritual and eternal? All we have to give is what He commands. And that's simply what He's due, not what He needs.

Sheep and Goats

As the Church begins to rise up in apostolic authority, a revelation of grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit, the separation of the sheep and the goats becomes clearer and clearer.

Churches are becoming more worldly than before. For some, worship is a mere performance and sermons are "watered down milk". There are numerous pastors that compromise it all and know nothing about holiness. But because they inspire and deliver warm messages, crowds cheer their names. Sexual immorality is becoming more and more accepted in the Church. Leaders in various ministries being upfront and unashamed of their promiscuity. And of course we all recognize the work of the enemy is vastly spreading when those who have been scholars of the faith for years now question the accuracy of Scripture.

The steady hope is the people who are rising, on fire for the Lord, and proclaiming His good Word. They are a people of prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. They are desperate to see the BOC functioning the way it very well should.

The Lord is certainly coming, for the distinction between the sheep and the goats is becoming quite clear. If no other evidence convinces you, take a look around, and that fact is clear. In Christ, Allie J 

He Is My Strength: Morning Encouragement

Once again I have to start off by saying...God does His thing when it comes to getting points across. I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. I felt weak, tired, and I felt like anything whether it physically or spiritually could come beat my behind. We have all had a morning/day like that. Wanting to curl back up in the bed, and go to sleep to avoid all the blahness of the day. It wasn't until a few passing moments of me wallowing in pointless misery had gone by that I realized a song from my childhood had come on, speaking directly to my current situations. John P. Kee and New Life Community choir were belting out some melodious encouragement.

"He gives me... Strength to make it, Strength to take it. I've got the strength to know that everything will work out fine. Strength to suffer, Strength to conquer. I've got the strength to know the blessings of the Lord are mine. Be strong in the Lord, in the power of His might. Know in your heart every battle He will fight. My strength. Strength in my darkest hour. He is my strong tower. Strength to know you're coming soon. I know your strength can be renewed. Be strong, you be strong. I was strengthened in my spirit when He spoke to me. No more fear, I have peace. Who the Son sets free, I know clearly is free indeed. I can win a soul, I can reach my goal, I can keep the victory, For the oil of God is on me, If He tells me to wait I can do it, I've got the strength to obey."

Sighed, grabbed my Bible, cracked that baby open, and the last few passages of Philippians was smack dab in my face. It talked of how we should always rejoice. If we lack something, rejoice. If we have enough of what we need, rejoice. Having a good day? rejoice. Bad days...? Rejoice still. He will give us the strength to not simply endure through things that come our way, but to thrive. To be content!! That's the kinda strength I needed this morning.
 Philippians 4:13 says "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (NIV) For a second it left me wondering, how could I do everything when I can barely get through a day of mere somethings without being tired? The realization that I'm not called to be some Wonder Woman hit me like a ton of bricks. God never called me to do it all. My mission isn't to to save the world because Jesus has already done that. My mission isn't to be a mirror image of the women at church, in the Bible, and definitely not the ones on television. What I had to realize, before I could ask for this strength, is that I'm either living out my mission or the mission of someone else. When we are connected to God, we can do what He has called us to do and be who He has called us to be. When we get that confused with trying to be what our society wants, we get crappy caffeine craving mornings. The world tells us we have to do it all to be adequate; Jesus reminds us that we are here for a unique purpose. When we are strengthened "through Him" we can not only recognize our God-given strength, but we can also respect out limitations. And when we get to that point, the power He placed in us can exceed anything in our life.
Remember, life can be hectic-crazy, confusing, and hard. Those moments come when you feel as if you're stuck in the middle, moving at a snails pace. Let me tell you girl, being a brave, beautiful, strong woman of God isn't easy, and moving at a snails pace is better than not moving at all. Not everyone can do what you can or handle what you can. When you wonder "Am I really doing ok?" there are folks in awe of what He does through you. His strength is ALWAYS present, and sometimes we all need to be reminded of that. This morning was my day.
 Lord, thank You for the strength that is only mine through You. I need that help to overcome my flesh so I can do Your will today, especially in these current situations. We know we can do all things through You with our faith in You. Let it be constantly known that You are constant. No leery feelings, no bad days, no unfavorable news can change what You are to us...our rock, our joy, and our strength. We're thankful for those provisions.
 In Christ, Allie J

Love Each Other!!

Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.
1 Peter 4:8 [CEV]