Love is a Choice 05/11/2012
As girls, we get all googly eyed about this love thing. We start day dreaming about a knight in shining armour coming and sweeping us off our feet to romance us for the rest of our lives. He will be perfect. He will love us to a fault and always know the exactly right thing to say. He will fulfill our every hearts desire. Then the mature women in our lives bring us back down to eart by reminding us that all of marriage isn't lovey dovey and that he will be mere human and that true love isn't a feeling but a choice. A commitment. And they're right. And the older I've gotten the more I've seen the truth in this though I know I won't always remember it when I'm married. lol Well I just realized yesterday that this thought, that love is a choice not a feeling, applies to us single girls too. Waiting for the one, abiding in the Lord in the mean time, finding fulfillment in HIM is all about a choice not a feeling. It doesn't always feel good to be alone. It doesn't always feel good to not have that "other half" of you. To have someone to just text or call because you can. It doesn't always feel good to be 27 and watching virtually every peer and even younger girl get married and start having babies. Sometimes my feelings tell me to flirt with this guy or that guy because I want that attention. Sometimes my feelings tell me to wear something that's not quite what I ought to because I know some guy will enjoy it. Sometimes my feelings tell me that this isn't fair. That God CREATED me to have this need and so why aren't I getting it filled while others are. This is all what my feelings tell me. But I can't listen to my feelings because love, true love, the kind of love that I am waiting for, the kind of love that I won't be passing up for second best, is what I am CHOOSING to wait for. I am choosing to hold onto my heart and my purity. To save all of me for my future husband. I am choosing to love him and respect him now through my interactions with other men. I am choosing to not begin looking for possibilities where there really aren't any just because I'm tired of waiting. I am choosing to NOT listen to my feelings when they begin to lie to me. So! Girls! Yes, this is a good thing to learn in respect of marriage. That love is a choice. Something you have to choose to do even when you don't feel like it. But it's also something that those of us who are still single need to learn. To remember that this is a choice you have made (a WONDERFUL choice!) and there will be times that your feelings won't line up with your choice and you will have to again choose to wait. Choose to save. Choose to love. With Prayers, Sarah Add Comment A Story 03/09/2012
After doing a bit of whining to a friend about my relationship status and some situations surrounding it I apologized for my "sad sob story". lol She said the sweetest thing to me, "it's not a sad sob story ... it's a beautiful beginning to a story." I just loved it! It was so sweet and hit such a sweet chord in my soul. And it's true! I struggle with it, and hurt, and cry, and whine, and doubt, and pray, and read, and get back on my feet. and wonder when my Someone will come along, when my story will start. But what I hadn't thought was that my story has started! This is the beginning! The preparing. The growing closer to Christ. The becoming the godly woman He would have me be (whether or not I ever marry!). All of this is the beginning of a story. My story. And yes, maybe it will take another 10 years, but this is the beginning. Maybe you're waiting too. And waiting ... and waiting. But remember that this is the beginning of your beautiful story too! Don't sit around waiting for it to begin! Start filling in your story now! Serve Him now! Work on your relationships with your family now! Learn something new now (whether it involves future "wife skills" or not)! Find a girl to encourage now! So much can be done now as you are in the beginning of your story. This "prologue" might last longer than you thought it would ... lol But it's still part of the story so don't take away it's importance to the beautiful story. :) With Prayers, Sarah Sorrow or Joy? 03/03/2012
Was reading in Psalms the other day and saw an interesting contrast in chapter 16. Verse 4 says, "Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god..." any other time I had read this verse I would have thought of the traditional definition of god, but this time I realized that this verse applies to us all with the word god applying to ANYTHING that we put before Christ in our lives. Wealth, prestige, relationships, etc. The sorrow in our lives will be great if we put anything before Christ in our life. Then verse 11 says, "...in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." When I read this the contrast was so stark. Place anything in the #1 spot in your heart/life besides Christ and your life will be full of sorrow. OR! Live in the presence of Christ, walking by His side, and live a life of joy and pleasures, Made me think ... what kind of life am I living? How does it show? Do I live each day in sorrow ... or joy? What about your life? With Prayers, Sarah When Will We Believe Him?? 02/27/2012
Read this verse this morning in my devotions. "And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?" Numbers 14:11 It struck me so! Isn't this just like us? Like me?? Just like the Israelites in the desert, the Lord has done so much for me! He has shown/proved Himself by providing needs, desires, protection, strength, wisdom, comfort, and so much more! And that's just what He's done for me, not even talking about all that I've seen Him do for others! Yet still, when faced with a new trial, I often lack in trust and faith. I don't truly believe Him, that He will do what He says He will do! Then I fret and worry. Cry and moan. Complain and murmur. Waste a whole heap of time doing all of this and more when I could take it to the Lord, believe Him, and move on with my life! "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me..." Psalms 138:8 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." I Peter 5:10 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 These are all promises of God that we can believe because He has proven Himself over and over again to be true, to do what He says He will do! And these are just a few of the promises He has made to His children! Why oh, why do I not just believe Him?!? But that's no excuse. So the next time I enter a trial, a shaky time of life, I need to try harder, pray more for faith to believe Him. To rest in what I know to be true. That He will take care of it all. The old hymn says it so perfectly: "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!" Do you believe Him? With Prayers, Sarah My Life-line to peace!!! 01/13/2012
In the past few months I've been struggling on and off with an "issue". Just when I get one facet of it settled, another one pops up! At first I didn't do too hot ... in fact, I'm ashamed to admit that I fell a couple of times. I know I didn't do what I should have done in certain instances. But the Lord continues to be ever longsuffering with me (praise Him!) and continues to teach me through each choice, good and bad. As I continue to struggle through this with Him, one of the big things that I've learned (re-learned, actually ... unfortunately) is the power of prayer. Above all as a tool to draw closer to the Lord, strengthening my relationship with Him thereby strengthening myself against sin. But also as a life-line to peace. Not just any peace though, but a peace that passeth all understanding! A dear friend helped me come to this conclusion in the midst of my struggling a month or so ago. She told me to, that moment, get on my knees and give up, give it all up to Him and walk away from it in His strength then continue you on in prayer. To pray, pray, pray like I've never prayed before. It was so encouraging to me and the Lord has continued to build on it over the last few weeks. So of course, in thinking about peace I had to look up the passage that talks about peace that passeth all understanding. It's Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Great verse but then I noticed the "And" at the beginning of the verse which says that this verse is a continuation of a previous thought so I looked at the verse before it. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." It's talking about prayer! I thought it was so cool how it tied prayer together with that kind of peace!!! Talk to God about EVERYTHING! Bring your requests, pain, joys, desires and needs to Him, with thanksgiving, and if you truly give it to Him in prayer, He promises this peace! The kind of peace that will keep your mind and hearts which says to me it will keep me from going crazy. lol! Not just a neat thought but let me tell you from personal experience that it works. As I've worked at utilizing this thought more and more I've found more and more that I've had peace that I didn't have before. Peace in circumstances that I usually let run me ragged instead of just laying them at the Savior's feet. I just can't express how exciting this was to me and how even last night I reminded myself of it and it kept me from temptation. So I encourage you to start working on your prayer life. We're in the beginning of a brand new year and this is the perfect time to determine to start fresh in your relationship with Christ. As a friend of mine said, "it's time to start planning to grow closer to Him not hit or miss not "wow! how'd i get this back-slidden!" not "i know i haven't been doing well, but i need you, Lord" no, it's time for "hi there again, Lord"and "i know i just called but i wanted to talk to you again, Lord" it's time to be friends again it's time to make time for my best Friend nay plan time plan and keep it and no i'm not saying i'll always do it right i'm not saying i'll be super christian super employee super friend super daughter super servant i'm just saying i'm going to start planning to be striving to be expecting me to be and stop being satisfied with half a relationship ..." This is my top goal for 2012. I hope it's yours too. Here's to full relationships with our Lord! With Prayers, Sarah Obedience does have Immediate Results 12/04/2011
Recently a friend of mine updated her status as, "I love it when everything falls in place and reality actually IS amazing! Obeying God is so simple, and has incredible payouts!". My immediate, and bitter, thought was, "Sure. I've obeyed for over ten years and and I have yet to see results." (I was specifically speaking about how I've waited and remained pure, though I've not always done it 100% right, and "the one" hasn't come along yet.) As soon as I said that in my head though I was immediately ashamed of such a bitter thought and, even as I was repenting of it, the Lord began to show me the MANY ways we see positive resuls immediately by obedience, even if the "large" result isn't immediate. Results such as:
"But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries." Exodus 23:22 When I obey Him, He will stand against anyone who stands against me! "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:1-2 When I obey, He hears my prayes and will help me! Again, these are just a few examples of many ways we see positive results in obedience. This is a very specific example of obedience and it's positive results, but these are basic truths that can be applied across the board, to any area of obedience. So next time you feel like you are obeying for nothing, like you could have more "fun" by disobediene, that you would be more happy, get what you really want by disobedience, that even if there are positive results in obedience...you won't see them for who knows how long, remember this and take a second to make yourself think of all of the ways you will have positive results immediately. Then obey. With Prayers, Sarah It Doesn't Matter! 07/12/2011
That's pretty much the conclusion I have come to. Over the past 8 years we have been through many difficulties, some might seem small and some were life changing but they all had to be dealt with on one level or another. A lot of these difficulties had to do with people (go figure) and one of the biggest things I had to realize (closely followed by people are people, even saved people) was that it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what so-and-so said to or about you. It doesn't matter what so-and-so did to you. It doesn't matter what so-and-so did or said to your sister, brother, mom, or dad. It doesn't matter if you are completely in the right and the other person is completely in the wrong. It doesn't matter. That isn't what the life of a Christian is about. This isn't to say that you can't have feelings when people hurt you. But these feelings need to be taken to God, dealt with, and let go of. Life moves on, or it should. I am so thankful to have had wise parents as I was going through these difficult times. I'm not saying I handle these situations perfectly every time they come up now. lol But I do have a much better grasp on it now. Unfortunately, it would seem that this concept is not being taught much anymore. I don't know how many times I've seen a young person hold on, and hold on, and hold on to some way they have been wronged. Of course they continually say that they have forgiven... but sometimes I wonder. The Christian life isn't about taking every grievance and logging it away for future reference. It isn't, one by one, checking every Christian off of your list because, surprise surprise, they acted human once (or twice, or three times, or four times...). We are to forgive and forget and move on. "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 A lot. "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:5-6 The Lord will take care of it. We don't have to. "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." Proverbs 26:17 Even if it's a family member that has been wronged. It's not our job to take it on. So I repeat, no matter the situation, it doesn't matter. There is no good reason to hang onto, hold a grudge against (because you have to admit it, that's what you're doing), or shut out any person who has "done you wrong". Your relationship with the Lord and your service ( I hope you're in service!) are so much more important. Don't jeopardize these just for the sake of "justice". And don't over complicate it. Just do it. Get over it. Don't sit around stressing, trying to figure out "what to do in this situation". There's not usually anything to do! You just forgive and move on. Can I say it one more time in closing? It doesn't matter! With Prayers, Sarah It's the Little Things in Life 05/20/2011
Last night my Pastor preached a wonderful sermon talking at one point about being faithful. Specifically being faithful in the little things such as Bible, prayer, and church. I was so convicted as I am in ministry and have a heart to become more and more involved specifically in our youth ministry (would love to be a youth pastor's wife someday if it's the Lord's will) but how can I think that I could be of any help to these young people spiritually if I'm not being faithful in the little things in my own life??? My first thought was to text a good friend of mine who is a youth pastor's wife and see if she is in her Bible and praying daily. (I know she's in church every time the doors are open just as I am. No problem there.) But then remembered the verse in II Corinthians where it says, "...but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." There went that idea. I could argue "using her as a good example" but I'm not an idiot and I've no example is needed. God says I should so I should. So, after shooting down that idea I had to face the fact that I'm not ready to be a youth pastor's wife. Matthew 25:21 "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things..." Luke 16:10 "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..." Luke 19:17 "...because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." I Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." I Timothy 1:12 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry..." I didn't feel this unfair at all as the Lord has already been working on my heart lately concerning full surrender. I took the initial "big step" a few weeks ago but have since realized that this is a continual thing of daily re-surrendering it all to Him. I was just convicted again of this very point (being faithful) only moments ago. I was on a forum reading a post by a girl who admits to cutting herself and then feels it is unfair that her church will only let her work in the nursery and in no other positions because of her "issue". Of course I had the same thought you are having now, "Good!" (I'm not addressing the question of why is she working in the nursery???) Then I read on to the reply of a godly gentleman from the forum. He began by saying, "Among the first ways we are to "serve" is to surrender our lives to Christ. We can only truly serve in many areas in so much as we have surrendered our lives to Christ." I was instantly reminded of the sermon last night and the area the Lord convicted me in. How dare I be judgmental towards this girl when I myself obviously have some work to do before the Lord uses me in this huge ministry of my heart? So I am here to share with you my failings. May I remind you of a part of a verse I quoted earlier? I Timothy 1:12 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry..." But! Praise the Lord, He has enabled me; He will help me! So I surrender yet again my time, my heart, my life to be dedicated to His service. To spend daily, serious time in my Bible and in prayer. That said, I go to have some prayer time before I head to bed. "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25:5 With Prayers, Sarah Tick, Tick, Tick... 04/24/2011
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16 I have recently been looking at my life and kind of taking stock. I've been feeling a little like I'm in a slump, which is not fun. You know how it is when suddenly you aren't reading your Bible as much as you used to, you're not praying much anymore besides at meal time, you feel worn down emotionally and spiritually as well as physically, when you're just "too busy"...all of the time. Yeah, that's about how I've been feeling. The Lord has been showing me this though and working on my heart. I am definitely claiming James 4:8 right now...as a reminder to me and God (not that He needs reminding...) "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." Well one of the things He had pointed out to me recently was how much time I spend reading or watching movies. I have read a lot of books since Thanksgiving. I was on break then and read a lot for relaxation and....never stopped. I had been convicted a little about it a few different times before but brushed it aside. Never a good thing to do. (maybe I wouldn't be in as a deep a slump now if I had adjusted my activities when I was first convicted to...) Anyway, so last week I was crying out to God in church, asking Him to draw me closer to Him, to show me things in my life to remove so I could "get" to Him. He brought up the books and movies again and this time I said yes. I haven't read a novel since and have only watched a couple of movies when it was family time (not watching any when I'm bored and feel like "popping one in"). It is amazing how much more time I have already! And how I can feel my heard de-cluttering a little bit, leaving that much more room for things like the Lord, His Word, and prayer. My mind is now more on thoughts of Him and not "what's going to happen to the character in my book next???" You see, I wasn't "redeeming" my time the way I ought to have been. And I was hurting because of it. I'm not saying all movies and books are bad. We just need to be careful how much of your time they take up and pay attention to what they might be doing in our hearts. How are you redeeming your time? With Prayers, Sarah J O Y 04/05/2011
While the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, the second is to love everyone else. That leaves ourselves at the bottom of the list, as it should be, or God wouldn't have said it that way in the Bible. This makes me think of a song I learned when I was a child that talks about how to have joy. "J is for Jesus for He has first place; O is for others we meet face to face; Y is for you and what ever you do, put yourself third and spell J O Y." I forget this a lot. Being a normal human being, I love myself, a lot. Too much in fact. I want my way, I want me to be comfortable, I don't want to have to worry about other people - even if it's someone I love sometimes - especially at a personal cost, etc. But I'm working on it. And every now and then the Lord reminds me that no matter what I'm going through, I'm supposed to be thinking of others. Because if I'm thinking of others, the Lord will provide for my needs. He just reminded me of this a moment ago. A dear, dear friend of mine is going through a rough week, I'm not going to elaborate. You're just going to have to trust me. I wouldn't want to be going through what she is this week. But I forgot, didn't even think of what this week might be for her, until I just read her blog. I felt horrible but suddenly remembered that last week I sent her a note, out of the blue, that I imagine she received some time this week. I'm not saying that note lifted her entire week or anything, but it was so humbling to think that even when I wasn't considering others, the Lord was working so that when I did remember, I'd already been able to do something. To send comfort and support in the best way I knew how. Would it have been better if I had actually remembered and sent a note that was more specific? Possibly. But since I was being a selfish human, that wasn't possible. So I'm glad that I was able to do the little bit I did. So, learn from me. Do your best to be thinking of those around you and what you can do for them. That is truly the source of JOY. With Prayers, Sarah | AuthorHere you can read "Sarah's Thoughts". A blog by me! Just a little bit once a month, and here and there, about something the Lord is speaking to me about or focusing on a certain verse that I've found particularly interesting for some reason. You can also subscribe (below) to have them directly sent to your email. Just fill in your name and email and put "Newsletter" in the comment box. Also, please feel free to leave a comment on my blog to let me know what you think! I love hearing from you! Thanks! Sarah's Thoughts
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