Faith --> Blessings

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 KJV

There is something so delicately marvelous about this verse. Let's break it down and look at it, "Blessed is she that believed", simple truth for our belief and trust in God, we are blessed. The woman this verse referred to was Mary. Her faith and her youthful, perfect trust in God by the Word of the Lord that came to her. In all sincerity she believed with her whole heart the fascinating truth that she, a virgin, would become pregnant supernaturally and bear a child - not just any child - the Son of God. Whoa!!! Could you imagine?! Mary's faith in God was not perturbed by logic, practicality or reasoning. She did not stop the angel and say, this is physically impossible! She gracefully accepted what the Lord was saying to her, and for it the Bible calls her blessed.

Blessed 

1. consecrated; sacred; holy; sanctified: the Blessed Sacrament.

2. worthy of adoration, reverence, or worship: the Blessed Trinity.

3. divinely or supremely favored; fortunate: to be blessed with a strong, healthy body; blessed with an ability to find friends.

4. blissfully happy or contented.

Our whole identity in Christ is based on our faith in Him, in God our Father and in His Holy Spirit. Faith is the root of our foundation and keeping the faith and passing it on to others is our mission on this earth. Abraham's faith in God rewarded him favor.
"Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness"  Gal 3:6. Here we see how much God values faith. I think there is something really beautiful to the fact that we have to believe in Christ to be saved. Amid a world where science reigns and human knowledge is the standard, God asks us to believe in the unseen and hold fast to what we can not touch. But the realization and the knowing we have in our heart when we accept Christ is beyond any scientific proof. It's a sweet and satisfying knowledge in our hearts that what we are believing is true and right.
Blessed are we, for what we hope God for will surely be given to us.


Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you so much for faith. Thank you that you have all called us Children of God, despite our race, nationality or heritage. Thank you for giving us freedom from a life of death and destruction and thank you that we can receive that freedom by just believing. Help us to trust you Lord and help our faith to grow strong Holy Spirit so that all the good things you have in store for me will be realized. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Freedom in Choices

"I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments" Exodus 6:6.

Bondage -
The state of one who is bound as a slave or serf.
A state of subjection to a force, power, or influence.


What weaknesses keep you bound? Are you a slave to anything in your life? Is it a drug addiction, a bad habit of smoking, eating unhealthy, always in a state of fear and worry, insecurity, negative thinking or even addicted to a destructive relationship? We have so many choices in our lives, but sometimes instead of choosing God's best for us, we choose what is familiar, comfortable and easy. God encourages us to choose life, "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction" Deu 30: 15 I knew I had a choice and I knew that God's way was best for me, but sometimes I would just ignore the truth and chose to do what I wanted to do. Instead of trying to stop smoke you just give in, it feels good so why stop? Or have a physical relationship with someone who does not treat you right, or who you are not married to. Isn't it easy to just give in to the pleasure and have some fun? Don't let the devil deceive you into choosing death over life. Yes it is easier but afterwards the shame, guilt and regret sets in and soaks your soul. But be encouraged! God can and will set you free, He WILL rescue you. When you make that first initial decision to make a change in your life and follow God's will - you will be amazed at how much easier it is each time. Saying no becomes easier to say :) Say No to addiction, brokenness and passivity! Say Yes to God and stand up against those things that hold you down, look to Him for guidance and His power to help you overcome. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you". Luke 10:19 You have the Power of God on your side. Nothing can keep you from the perfect, loving and happy life He has planned for you - you need only look to Him and let Him guide you. Let's choose life together friends, let us all choose to follow Christ!


Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for being my best friend and savior. Holy Spirit please remind me that Jesus did not die on the cross to save me once, but remind me that Jesus continually cleanses and saves me. Thank you for your good and perfect will and help me live according to it and have a life of happiness, love and prosperity. Amen 

You Can Be Healed

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD. Jer 30:17

 

This verse is short and simple and can be taken literally. As Jesus walked upon the earth doing God's will - he healed many people. "He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men" Psalm 107:19-21. God sent Jesus in to the world to save us, to heal our every hurt. Not just physical pain, but emotional, mentally and spiritual healing. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147: 3. The Lord God who made you, can heal you and cleanse you of all sickness and disease. Jesus' stories of healing people in the Bible are not mythical, magical stories from the past, this is a truth that you can take hold of today. "For I am the Lord, I change not" Mal 3:6. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever". Hebrews 13:18. I think everyone at some point asks the question, "Can God really heal me?". Even small things - if you have a headache in the morning, is your first response to ask God to remove the headache or show you what is causing the headache, or do you automatically reach for a aspirin. Sometimes Christians are not sure about the question on medicine or seeing a doctor. For example, one might think, if I am asking God to heal me should I show my faith by not taking my medicine and wait for God to heal me? God wants to heal you, He wants to bind up your wounds and release you from the bondage of sickness. God gives doctors and scientist the knowledge and wisdom to produce medicine, procedures and treatments that help us heal, be strengthened and cured. I think God treats each of us individually and lovingly, every case is different, ask Him to establish your steps and help you. If you pray and seek God for answers for a on-going problem you have, there is no doubt He will guide you to truth and put people in your life that can help you."If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" James 1:5. Inquire of God, hold fast to His truths and believe that He can do miracles in your body and mind just as He has done before and is doing today. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10 And in the end, let God's will be done, we can not question His ways but I do know He is in charge and will comfort you and love you no matter what the circumstances are. I pray blessings, peace and good health to you in the Name of Jesus. Amen. Don't stop believing.

Also here are some great books I read on healing:

 - Healing Promises by Joseph Prince

 - Christ the Healer by F.F. Bosworth

 - Be Healed in Jesus' Name by Joyce Meyer

Bright New Skies

What a beautiful day. The sun graced the sky this morning with hues of pink and lavender, the waves rolled with morning vigor, the trees swayed in the lazy sea breeze and I celebrate my 26th birthday today!! I've been in valleys and I have been on top of some mountains and I thank God for every trail and trouble for they made me stronger. I have suffered pain, but every morning brought joy and gladness to see another day. To know that whatever happened the day before - was in the past and it is my gift (and yours) to start over on a new day. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 I thank God for every blessing in my life, my family, my friends, my readers, my job, my home, my writing and my health. Everything good in my life comes from Him and I am so blessed. Show Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You Who save by Your right hand those who trust and take refuge in You from those who rise up against them. Psalm 17:7 Maybe not with riches and material things (they're coming soon though! lol), but with a love so strong it has helped me to move past sorrows and scares. .I am in a place of freedom now because He has taught me how to forgive and how to love, which was something I could not do on my own. So on this bright morning give thanks for all that you have and all that God has in store for you. In our broken world with wars and countless victims, children fighting for their lives and hate, let us learn to love each other and fight for the greater good, to give of ourselves as we can and to stand up for peace and love. Surround yourself with like-minded people who encourage you and inspire you, respect those you work for and if you are in a valley right now -stay in His Word and be encouraged, He has never lost sight of you and is working in the background. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. Psalm 89:33

 I pray His blessings, peace and love be on you and yours, now and forever.

- Krystal
(Broken to chosen)

Let Him Bind Your Wounds

 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 

Photo source: Passion of the Christ Movie

Depicting Jesus reaching out to a woman who was about to be stoned for adultery 

Behold this amazing love from God. The God who created the heavens and the earth sent His only Son to die for you. He died for every sin, for every wicked, evil thing you have ever done or will do. First off, when you commit sin, you commit it against God. When Adam ate the forbidden fruit and unleashed sin into the lives of every man after that, God immediately initiate a redemption plan to bring us back to Him. The Bible is a epic story of reconciliation. Jesus suffered a horrible, torturous death so that we might have everlasting life with Him, but also that we might have freedom from the bondage of sin in this life as well. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corin 5:21. God paid the ultimate price for you, for all of us, even His enemies so that we may all have the chance to be reconciled with Him in eternity. We don’t deserve it, we could never thank Him for it, but we can do our part and live our lives in honor and glory of Him. God gives and gives, He holds nothing back for us, in fact He encourages us to seek Him for anything we need. (read Matthew 7: 7) God is a gracious God, do you not see He will go to the ends of the earth for you. You are cherished and beloved, honor God's love with your life. 


Prayer:
Heavenly Father you have shown me so much love. You raised my life from the pit and set my feet on solid ground. You have saved me from a life of misery, loneliness and sin and have given my freedom, grace and abounding love. Help me to know you more, to know the great I Am. As I draw nearer to you, I know by your Word, you will draw nearer to me. I need you every day of my life Lord. Without you I am
aimless in a lost world. You lift me up and call me beloved and treasured. Teach me how to show that love to others in honor of you.

Bring Your Weakness

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."2 Corinthians 12:9 

 

 

Grace is such an amazing reality. To us humans it is a hard concept to grasp. We are born in a world that says do this, do that and do some more, if you want anything you better do what you can to get ahead, besides, no one is going to hand it to you. Grace was a gift from God that took me years to understand and accept. You would think we would be tired of this demanding world and quickly accept God’s grace, but its not always that easy with the mindsets we have developed over the years. How often do you try to be good, how often do you feel completely defeat at the end of the day because you cursed, gossiped, etc. We can try and try but we will never be good enough. But that is ok! We are not meant to be perfect on our own, only Jesus is perfect and if you set your sight, focus and love on Him you will see extraordinary changes in your life. The Holy Spirit will take you over and guide you, He will convict you when you make a mistake and then comfort you with the everlasting knowledge of God’s forgiving grace. Grace by definition is a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior. Only God has the authority to judge you and He declares that you are under no condemnation Romans 8:1.

I am

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Ughhhh One of Those Days??

Stressed out?

 Had a long day at the office? 

Miserable or angry? 

Go outside and spend time in nature's beauty!! 

Look up at the immense sky and consider God, looking down on you in love and care. Take a stroll on the beach, stop and look at flowers, feel the sun on your skin. It's so important that we slow down and soak in life. You won't be sorry. Everyone deserves and needs time to relax, let go and enjoy the moment, surrounding yourself in nature is one of the best ways to do it. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2. Come to God and let him give you rest.  

^_^ -Krys 

Lighting Darkness

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ”John 8:12 

  

Sometimes the world can seem so dark. Children dying, wars going on, violence and murder in our country. There seems to be no regard for life. Mothers are heartbroken, fathers are frustrated or absent. Children have to grow up quickly in order to survive in a world riddled with sex, drugs and violence. But do not fear tomorrow, for Jesus said I am the light of the world. Although we are attacked by darkness everyday, remember your Lord and Savior. Rest in His truth and light. Follow Him and He will direct your path to honor. Goodness and mercy will follow you. He has the light of LIFE, He died so that you can have life and enjoy it, abundantly. John 10:10  Even in your “thought life”, I battled with negative and dark thoughts for many years. Thoughts about your self worth, your future, even how you look at people. Don’t let the darkness turn you into a miserable, bitter person. Let Jesus’ light shine in your life, learn to think like Him. Tell yourself “I am a new creation, God does not hold my past against me so I won’t hold it against me”, 

Silencing Worry

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phili 4:6-7

  

Sometimes fear grips us, fear of the unknown. Waiting for test results, wondering if someone is going to pull through a sickness, wondering if someone is going to come home safe, worrying if you’re going to get that job, worrying how you’re going to provide for your family, how you’re going to keep above the water with bills weighing you down. You sit down and try to figure out everything, calculate your bills over and over and you’re still coming up short. You are not suppose to take care of yourself alone! It was such a release for me when I learned how much God cared for me, while I was a sinner. I don’t mean after I was “good” or after I did something “good” I mean before I became a committed Christian. He cared for me, protected me and provided for me.