no-weapons

[no-weapons]

Christians still suffer.

It's disheartening when people assume that because I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that life is easy. It's not.

I'm still h u m a n. You're still human.

In Hebrews 11:32-36 the author has a brief summary of the two paths of a Christian life. Some have shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, escaped death. Others were tortured, mocked, beaten, chained, stoned, hungry, oppressed, mistreated, k i l l e d.

If we were to dive deep into the stories of those seemingly blessed, you'll see that they had suffered too.

But we as Christians, rather suffer with God than without God and that is what, I believe, is our strength in faith and hope.

I've lived a life in which I did not invest in God as I should have and now, I live a life in which I do.

I would not go back to the former on any account.

I'm currently in 1 Peter. In it are sections such as "Suffering for Doing Good" which states 'But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't be afraid and don't worry.'

And "Living for God" which states 'So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had and be ready to suffer too.'

I find these types of passages to be important - especially to new Christians learning the way of Jesus Christ (even I'm still learning).

It's important to know that life will still be life, we're still going to have hardships. Life will not be perfect because we do live in a broken world. Our Christian walk cannot change what other people do in this world, it cannot change the fact that we will be challenged. What it does change is who we turn to in those times, how we heal from those times, how we grow from those times, how we endure those times, what we do in those times.

In my experience, my choices and my reactions have been changed by God and I, by His grace and mercy, am blessed by the changes to my mental and emotional health.

1 Peter 5:10-11: In His kindness God called you to His eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power is His forever. Amen.

| S.M |

[no-weapons]

Romans 1:20:

"God's divine nature and eternal power are visible through the things he has created."

[no-weapons]

Creation is my reminder that God is good, present, and everlasting. The beauty in nature is evidence to me that He is real and just as He takes care of the birds, He will take care of me too. | S.M |

[no-weapons]

Let me tell you something... God is really humbling me right now. | S.M |

[no-weapons]

I love this photo because I took it blindly. I couldn't see what was on the screen of my phone because as you could imagine the great Florida sunshine was in my eyes. So, I just kept shooting until the plane passed the boat and as I reviewed the photos, I found this beauty. | S.M |

[no-weapons]

[no-weapons]

ACTS 23:26-27

This scripture, to my understanding, is meant to describe God's chosen people (the Jewish nation). The Holy Ghost had delivered this message to them through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:9-10 (Old Testament). However, as I read it, I felt as if it qualifies for the gentile as well. We, as Christians, can preach the word but there will be some that will refuse to see, hear, and understand. Their hearts are hardened to the good news of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ,

It is written if we pray in your Son's name, our prayers are heard. I praise you for your love, forgiveness, wisdom and understanding. I pray for the people that are lost in the darkness. I pray that they willingly open their eyes to your light that will guide them through the depths of the valley they have found themselves in - whether it be caused by their own actions, other people's actions, or circumstances of the world that was beyond their control. I pray that they allow God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Ghost into their lives - mind, body, and soul. I pray this so that they can turn to you so that they let you heal them in every way they need healing. Amen.

[no-weapons]

ROMANS 8:38-39

I am in absolute love with this verse. This is my third time going through the bible, yet this is the first time this verse has stood out to me. Paul writes poetry. The explanation of God's love here is completely and utterly perfect to me. I am happy to have caught this verse this time around, I'm sure God knew I needed it now more than ever. The Bible is a living bible for a reason. The words never change but we do, our perspective, our insight, our wisdom and understanding. By God's grace and mercy, we grow with the word, and we are blessed to see something new in the word every time we spend time with Jesus through the Bible.

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ,

It is said that if we pray through your son's name, Jesus Christ, our prayers will be heard. I pray for those that are struggling to find you. I pray that you give them an open heart, with eyes to see you, ears to hear you and a mouth to speak of you. I pray that you guide them through the beauty of your book, The Bible, and give them the wisdom and understanding to absorb what they need in the time they need it. I pray that you guide them and as stated in Romans, let them know that your love can never be separated from them. Your love is unconditional, and your forgiveness is endless.

This I pray in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

[no-weapons]

You don't always have to do the right thing in order to be in God's presence you are always welcome in his presence and always welcome to have a relationship with him.

[no-weapons]

I believe all I need in life is God, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost, and nature.

| S.M |

[no-weapons]

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ,

I pray that you help me know my heart.

Amen.

[no-weapons]

I am a believer in God our Lord and Savior. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I am a believer in the power of the Holy Ghost. This service gave me a blanket of comfort. It reminds me that I can be a believer in God but still not have it all together. That I can believe in God and still be: Sad, depressed, angry, confused, lost. That my life with God is not going to be perfect. That the walk with God is not going to be easy. That my life will still have painful moments. The difference is that when I had a life in which I wasn't invested in God, Jesus Christ, or Holy Ghost I didn't have wisdom, understanding, or strength to want to see another day. I didn't have hope. I relied on things that could change instead and let me down. I relied on the wrong people, the wrong situations, and the wrong way of life. Toxicity was something I was used to, so I would actively seek it and then question why life didn't get any better. I surrounded myself with people that didn't lift me up. I surrounded myself with people that only wanted me to go as far as they were. I was mentally, emotionally, spiritually weak and the only thing that kept me moving was the physical strength and will power to not stop. When I decided to make the change, to invest in God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Ghost to learn the truth behind the lies the world spreads and give it a real chance I learned that life, still, isn't going to be all butterflies and rainbows. I'm still going to go through the motions of all my emotions with the ups and downs life has to throw at me but I will be going through it with a Father that will love me unconditionally. That will support me, strengthen me, listen to me, forgive me, give me grace and give me mercy. I don't always need to be strong because God will accept me where I'm at in that moment. He accepts us at our best but unlike a lot of people He will accept us wholeheartedly at our worst. Jesus Christ didn't die for the perfect people of this earth. He died for the sinners, the imperfect, the people we would consider rejects. Jesus Christ didn't sit with the royals in their fancy castles but instead washed the feet of His disciples and ate dinner with the corrupt. Y'all think you'd get rejected for what this world and certain choices made you out to be but, in fact, you're the one He wants on His side. The unfortunate truth though, the devil will also fight to keep you on his side, and it won't be easy to turn away. The devil has had their clutches, knows how to keep you. Keeping you comfortable is its most sneaky attack but also keeping you yoked to an addiction.

Matthew 19:26 "With God all things are possible."

[no-weapons]

To find b e a u t y in the smallest things. 💜

[no-weapons]