I don't want to waste my life!!!

This morning I opened up to the book of Luke. It's amazing what you find in there! I read chapter 16 and verses 19-31 really got my attention! Read it for yourself!?! The whole book of Luke in fact.... :) haha... It made me think for the rest of the day!

It's Jesus telling a Parable about a rich man and Lazarus. About how this rich man lived his life for money, for worldly possessions and lived for himself and not for God. I read it thinking about the times I've put other things before God. And what a waste of time that was!!  I don't want to waste my life focusing or obsessing over things that are not going to get me into the kingdom of God. I want to be doing what God want's me to do, not what my worldly desires want.

I'm not here for earthly things but here to follow the call God has put on my life on this earth! I'm living to follow him, to be His disciple and go out and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

In other words I don't want to find out one day that I 'thought' I was going to heaven and I 'thought' I was a so called 'christian'. Where I was just living my life for my selfish desires... I want Jesus to look at me and say "Well done good and faithful servant'.

I don't want to be a fan of Jesus but a follower!! Someone who commits their life and surrenders it all to Jesus! Listening and walking out the calling He has placed over my life! I choose to keep God as my number one over every part of my life!

“In fact, it's true throughout all of Scripture....Following Jesus isn't something you can do at night where no one notices. It's a twenty-four-hour-a-day commitment that will interfere with your life....”

― Kyle Idleman, Not a Fan

God bless!
Sara-Jayne

Your Words are Powerful!

God has really been speaking to me about listening to Him on what he says about me. I came to a place where I felt lost, confused, tired, ugly, fat and so on.... I felt like the enemy was attacking my identity.  

You see it just started with me waking up one morning and feeling so flat, tired and for some reason heavy, like there was a weight on my shoulder. I felt so tired even though I wasn't.

I went to my mum and said “Oh... I don’t feel really pretty today”. Because I just didn't! I didn't know why or what was wrong with me. And it was as if those words that I spoke out had all of a sudden let my door open just a little to allow the enemy’s thoughts in and settle.

 'The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.'

Proverbs 18:21

Our words are powerful! They can create our atmosphere! And you have the choice on what to say, either speaking words of positivity or negativity; life or death. 

By me speaking out "I'm not 'feeling' pretty" was really me saying "I'm listening to my feelings and I'm not pretty at all". No matter what I'm feeling, feelings aren't always what we should listen too. Because if we read our bible or prayed every time we 'felt' like it. We probably wouldn't!

Really in that time I should have said "Sure I don't feel pretty, but I know I am because God made me and I am fearfully and wonderfully made". 

'Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.'

Proverbs 21:23

So guard your mouth and be careful what you speak out! For the tongue is powerful! Read the bible and see what God wants to say to you!

I've taught myself that whenever I feel down in the dumps, to speak out words of life. Looking in the mirror, telling myself that I am beautiful, funny, smart, loved and perfect the way I am. It's my choice to either listen to what God says about me or what the enemy is trying to tell me.

You are beautiful! You are funny! You are smart! You are clever! You are loved! You have worth and absolutely drop dead gorgeous! Choose to speak that out!!

Encouragement for the day: Standing Alone!!!

Being a Christian isn't easy!! And I definitely know that!! Jesus never said it would be easy, but He did say it would be worth it! The Journey as a follower of christ can be hard and at times it can be lonely.  And Yes, sometimes along the journey we can screw up, but always know that God is always there with his arms wide open waiting for you to run back to him! We are never alone!! God is always with is no matter what!

Isaiah 43:2-3 says:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

This verse is amazing!!!! I love reminding myself that God will be with me no matter what I do!! No matter what situation I’m in God has always been and will always be with me!! There will be times when the enemy will come and attack me I may trip, but I will not fall!! It will not affect me because I'm grounded on the word of God!! And that’s where I know I’ll find God!! Reading my bible!! Which I honestly can say I need to do more of that!!!!!!

Today in my girls small group that I run, we talked on standing alone and what that means. We have started a new curriculum called ‘Courage’ by Francis Chan. As a group we talked about how it can be easy to follow the crowd and do what they are doing even if it is wrong.  Those as Christians we need to encourage each other to stand up for Christ. Even when no one else will…. And you’re the only one who will stand up for Him!!

One of my fave quotes is “If you want to see a change you have to be the change!”….. Simple as that!! You have to do it! For example if you feel you need to start attending prayer meeting, go and do it.. Even if none of your friends will!! Or if you feel to say "Hi" to this new kid that's sitting alone, don't wait for someone else to do it... You do it!! Why wait for someone else to do it when God has called you!!? You be the world changer and make a difference!! It can be hard when you don’t feel anyone is there for you, but know that God always is!! Just trust him and take a leap of faith!! Even though you might not be able to see where you’re going… Know that God is holding your hand through every step you take! He won’t let you fall!! Just stand on the verse of Isaiah!! It’s definitely one to remember!! 

Sara-Jayne <3 

Photo above is my own!!