THE PATH
"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Psalm 16:11 KJV
Psalm 16:11 KJV
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"I am the Lord thy God...Thou shalt have no other gods before me." -- Exodus 20:2-3 KJV
I think it's interesting how some people say they're too busy for God, that there's not enough hours in the day. I used to think that way. In college, and even high school, I felt so bogged down with life's challenges that I forgot about the One who brought me through them. If I did read a scripture, it was only to make me feel better, to make me feel like I had spent "time" with Him. If I made a schedule, I would list everything else (meetings, homework, projects, etc.) FIRST and "save the best for last." Problem was I could never finish the list. I'd say, "But God you see what I'm dealing with. You understand, right?" Wrong! God doesn't want your excuses, He wants your fellowship (John 14:23). I repented and asked God to help set my priorities straight. Sooner than later, I found myself with more time than I had before. When I put His work first, everything else fell into place (Prov. 3:6, Prov. 16:3). No matter what we're going through, no matter how hectic our environment seems, we CANNOT minimize God. We can't let schedules get in the way of our quiet time with Him. In Matthew, Jesus said to "...seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (6:33). Whatever you need, He'll provide, but ONLY when He's before everything else.
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"Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." -- Psalm 146:1-2 KJV
I understand now what God meant when He said, "Don't be afraid of their faces..." (Jer. 1:8). Whenever I'm singing during praise and worship, I'll glance out at the congregation and notice that some people either cross their arms or stare out into space. It can be intimidating and a little disheartening. I keep asking myself, "How can they stand there and not do anything? The Lord woke you up this morning, and you can't even clap a hand?" Psalm 150:6 says "Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD," which means when our eyes open, our first thought should be "Good morning, Father!" not "I don't feel like getting up." We weren't made to live on this earth for ourselves and our own needs. We were made for His pleasure, to give Him all the glory and all the honor (Rev. 4:11). We are not to store up earthly gifts but heavenly gifts, and where our treasure is, so is our heart (Matt. 6:19-21). This is not our home and until we understand that concept, we'll continue to be lovers of ourselves. So I will look to the hills which come my help (Ps. 121:1). I will forever lift my hands and my voice, because I know I'm living to live again. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few will find it." -- Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
My Mom always told me, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." At first, I was confused and often found myself daydreaming on how I could actually skin a cat. Then I thought, "Why in the world would I want to do that? What does that even mean?" Later, she explained that everyone has options. There's more than one way to do anything or go anywhere. Whether it's going to school, going to work, doing a math problem, or cooking spaghetti, you'll always have options. With all the options I've had in my life, I won't say that I've always made great decisions; however, choosing Christ Jesus as Lord over my life, was the BEST decision I've ever made. Growing up in the Kingdom of God, I've learned that the only way to Heaven is through Him. In Matthew 7:14, Jesus said, "...small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few will find it." I laugh now, because I never understood what the "narrow gate" was, even though I'd heard it a thousand times. As a young girl, it was all Greek to me. Church, the Scriptures, God, all of it. I might've stepped inside the House of God, but I had no idea who He really was. Now, as I'm reminded of John 14:6, everything makes sense. In John, Jesus told His disciples "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This world is full of many paths that lead to destruction (Matt. 7:13), and it is up to you to make the right choice once you are taught the truth of God's word. So many people think that they are fine without Christ, that they can get by on their own; while those who say they know Him, love Him, and trust Him act the complete opposite. The cares of this world will choke you (Matt. 13:22), worries about tomorrow will distract you (Matt. 6:26, Matt. 6:34), and the stress of it all will kill you (because none of that is our job! Stay in your lane!)! It is only through Christ Jesus that we may find our way back to the Heavenly Father, on whom we should cast our every care (1 Peter 5:7). Christ is the narrow road that leads to life and life more abundantly. Hello everyone and welcome to the Someone Cares Ministry Blog! My name is Jessica, as you may have noticed to your right, and I'm excited to be SCM's blogger!
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I am an English Creative Writing graduate from Southeastern Louisiana University. Writing is my passion and I love to do it as often as I can. I'm also the praise leader at SCM, where I love to have a great time singing to the Father. In Him, I am free to worship, free to praise, and just free to be me! Along with writing and singing, I love to travel and cook. I am always willing to try new recipes, however my Mom is known to be skeptical... I've traveled to a number of cities within the USA, such as Houston, Atlanta, and Orlando, and have even traveled out of the country (Ontario, Canada). I've tentatively named this space "The Path". "The Path" will be a tool used all to the glory of God! I desire to write what He gives me to write and whatever He gives me will NOT be taken lightly. As I go where the Father takes me, I pray that you will join me for the ride! |
Jessica CooperI'm just a girl who likes to dwell in the joy of the Lord, because He is my strength. ArchivesCategories |
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