Friday, May 30, 2014

A season for everything

In the midst of the two graduate term papers that I have yet to write, I decided to take a break and come and write to you guys on here. This blog carries a special piece of my heart, and I remain thankful for the words of wisdom that the Lord has spoken through me on here.

Lately I have been thinking about how there truly is a season for everything. Just in this past year, so much has happened in my life. The Lord has worked through me in wonderful ways, revealing to me more my identity in Christ. As my first year of graduate school comes to a close, it's amazing to look back and see how faithful the Lord has been in everything.  Whatever the next season of life holds (besides my final year as a graduate student,) I trust that with God on my side, I can conquer anything that He calls me to do. 

What season of life does the Lord have you in? Wherever you are, if you seek Him above everything else, He will meet you there. 

"For everything there is a season,  a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die.    A time to plant and a time to harvest."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I love you, Lord.

Love always, Jess


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

a relationship with Christ



I love the verse that I read in Acts today, chapter 14 verse 39. It says: "Everyone who believes in Him is declared right with God-something that the law of Moses could never do." What a gift! All we have to do is continually seek the Lord's forgiveness and grace, and we can have an authentic relationship with the God of the universe. So powerful and true. Jesus is amazing, and it is His Spirit living inside of me that comforts me and gives me the assurance I need to keep moving forward. 

What has God been teaching you lately in your walk with Him? I'd love to hear! 

I love you guys!

Love always, Jess

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Spirit inside of me...

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23

Lately I have been thinking about freeing it is to live by the fruit of the Spirit. This verse says there is no law against any of these things listed above! Amen! Following Jesus and learning how to live by His Spirit inside of me has been such a fulfilling experience. Although Jesus left earth, He promised to give us something better, which is the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). What are you guys thoughts on this verse? I love how as Christians, one of the main reasons we stand out so much is because of the joy in Christ that is so evident in us! Amen!

I love you guys!

Love always, Jess

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Take heart, Jesus has overcome it all..


"So be truly glad. There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trails for a little while."
1 Peter 1:6

Hi friends! I just wanted to encourage you today with this piece of scripture from 1 Peter 1:6. Whatever you are going through, God is faithful and He is going to bring you through it. He will never leave you! Take heart, my friends, we serve the God of the universe, the creator of the heaven and the earth. He loves us with an unconditional love, and wants nothing more than a real, authentic, genuine relationship with you. 

I love you guys!

Love, Jess

Monday, May 12, 2014

Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness

Grace.
Mercy.
Forgiveness.

What do these 3 words mean to you?

In the dictionary, they can be defined as: 

Grace: (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
mercy:
Forgiveness: the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven.
Mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

These 3 simple, yet powerful words encompass my relationship with Christ. Jesus died for me, and freely gave me His grace and mercy, choosing to forgive me of all my sins. So amazing. These past three years of walking with Christ have been the most fulfilling years of my life. Sure there have been plenty of trials, but Jesus has been faithful throughout each one. I trust Him. He is good. He is my Father.  

"Now this is the way to eternal life--to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth."
John 17:3