Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

In a world and time where everyone is so easily offended and people are eager to be mad at or near down another, this is a something to consider!

Every morning I eat breakfast and watch the news. And every morning all I see is people ranting and raving about who has done what to offend another party. Scroll through Facebook and there are posts every where of people complaining about someone else.

Yesterday at church we heard a message from the book of John 21:20-25 about how Peter took his eyes off Jesus to worry about how John was being treated differently. And you know what Jesus said?? "What is thou to thee? Follow thee Me!"

Now for those who dont speak King James, like myself... That means basically, dont worry about him, focus on me!

When Peter turns his heart and mind from the focus of God, he allows sin into his heart and stumbles. We see this throughout the gospel with Peter. When he turns his eyes away from what is important, things go sideways for him.

Dont be like Peter. Dont spend your days worrying about who is doing what wrong to you or around you. Dont focus on how others are better or worse than you. Who cares?! If you focus your sights on living like the Lord, turning the other cheek, seeing past the sin and loving the sinner, I know your life will change for the better.

I challenge you to try it for a day and see if you dont end the day happier and more fulfilled.

This beautiful post from The First 15 May help :)

War Binder: Mission Birth

At my most recent prenatal appointment I was given some exciting and scary news! 

That I might get to try a VBAC instead of being set for a 3rd c-section! To me this news was thrilling and very scary! When I told my husband he was very supportive but he did voice concerns about my emotional state should things not go the way I imagined.

So I was inspired.. maybe a better word is moved.. to put together a War Binder focused solely on my the birth of my baby with the intent of reminding me to always trust God's plan, His will, and His way on all things. I needed something to remind me of the peace found in the Lord when o give all my worries and concerns to Him.

Thus... a miniature war binder was born. It includes affirmations, prayers, and verses to encourage me and guide me on a path with the Lord as I finish this pregnancy journey. I try to read it daily in order to embody the Lord in this experience!

Here is a video walk through of the journal! I hope it helps you as much as it is helping me!

Have you Heard the Good News in Psalm 32??

Let's just take a minute to soak this in...

Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sin is put out of sight!
² Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,^[b]
    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
³ When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.
⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
    that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
⁷ For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.
    You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

¹⁰ Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
¹¹ So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Is that not the most joyful good news?! Just meditate on David's words for a moment. What joy for those who have been forgiven?! Whose records have been cleared of guilt!! When you pray for forgiveness, you are protected from sorrow and surrounded with victory in the Lord!! Just like that, God FORGIVES you! Not cause you earned it or did anything special. Nope. You just asked for forgiveness, with reverence to God's almighty power to save given through the sacflraficial blood of the perfect lamb of Jesus Christ, and in an instant you are surrounded with the Lord's unfailing love!!

Does it get any better than that?!

Can I get an Amen?!