Imperfection

This one word, imperfection, can conjure up some serious panic attacks, feelings of unworthiness, and just plain blah. 

Let's face it, we all feel imperfect in one way or another. I struggle with this word in terms of my weight, my health, being a Christian woman, being a mother and grandmother. 

My weight is not perfect, it's getting better, but the fact is I look in the mirror and I see so many imperfections. Why do we always compare ourselves to each other? Why do we see ourselves and want what another has? 

Even that perfect size 0 (is that even a realistic size?) model, sees something imperfect about themselves. 

We as humans are always so worried about outward appearances that we drive ourselves crazy trying to become what someone else is. Yet, we have to remember one thing.....

We are perfectly imperfect in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. He has created us to His exact specifications. He does not make mistakes. We weren't created to be like anyone else.  So instead of focusing on the appearance in the mirror, focus on your heart and the hearts of others. That is where you will see the true beauty of a person. 

"You are altogether Beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you" Song of Solomon 4:7

God created you and I to be different. To be who we are. We need to stop trying to compare our bodies, our looks, hair, parenting, marriages....our lives with each other. No, I am not perfect. And I never will be.  I just live to be a better person than I was yesterday! I am a beautiful Christian woman, raising 2 grandsons the best way I know how. My marriage has troubles, my parenting skills aren't the greatest, my looks have faded, but I have never been happier. I stopped looking in the mirror. I look into my heart!

I study His word for advice, I pray to hear what He wants of me, where He is leading me! I am beautifully created by my Heavenly Father to His exact specifications for me, and since I've stopped looking in the mirror, I have found a peace and happiness that I have never known before! 

So stop comparing yourself to your neighbor, you friend, your family. You are beautifully YOU!!! And you are good enough. Christ loves you so very much for who you are, for who He created you to be! And I do too! Look in His word for your affirmation, for all humans are imperfect, and they will never give you the kind of love and confidence our Heavenly Father will. 

Galatians 2:20- My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Ephesians 1:4- Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. 

2 Corinthians 5:17- This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

You are a beautiful person. God has wonderful plans for you. Seek Him and His word to discover your calling and where He will lead you. Let Him lead you, surrender your all to Him, then and only then will you find the peace and happiness your heart truly desires. 

Blessings to you all and all Glory to God!

A Powerful Love

Today's devotional comes from Luke. The story of the prodigal son. 

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 

Our father will always forgive us when we finally find our way back home. 

However; we need to love others this same way. 

1st. Let Go. Sometimes we have to let our loved ones go, even though this is one of the hardest things to do. We all have had someone in our life that we just pray over and try to guide, but they have already left home in their head and heart. We have to let them go and let them make their own mistakes. 

2nd. Wait. We must wait & let the Lord do His work in this person. We must have confidence in God's plan. Our only job is to wait and pray over that person and let God's will be done. 

I'm seeing the results of this waiting, while my person is not coming to the Lord yet, he is praying, and he is beginning to see God's work in his life. This makes my heart so happy. I just have to wait and pray. God will take care of the rest! 

http://youtu.be/8-1w3zQaE0k Check out Kutless "When you Come Back Home" 

Beautiful song and reminds us of our Fathers great love!!!

He is always faithful

Pray about everything

Kutless – Purpose In Surrender – CCM Magazine

To read this article click here: ---> Kutless – Purpose In Surrender – CCM Magazine:



This is a great article! I believe in my heart that this group has been called to minister through their music! Their music changed my life, what I thought was surrender, was no where even close.....then I heard a Kutless song and my life has been forever changed!



-Glory be to God


Shelly

First 5

-Glory be to God


Shelly

Rejoice

-Glory be to God


Shelly

Called to Courage

Today's devotional reading comes from Joshua 3:1-17

"The Lord told Joshua, today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all Israelites. They will know that I am with you just as I was with Moses." Joshua 3:7

The Lord will make us great in what He calls us to do.

Sometimes it takes great courage to do what God has called us to do! How do we get this courage?
First, we must accept His calling and meditate on His word. Only then will we know how to apply it to our own situation.

We must be obedient to Him. We become closer tho Him the more we follow His ways.

We must trust in His promises!

Remember your past victories, you will gain strength from these. When we remember how the Lord gave us courage before, it helps to build us up and give us more courage for the task ahead.

The Lord wants us bear witness for Him! We must have courage to do so in times, as our world can be very cruel and heartless.

How do you tell others of your love for Christ? How do you tell of the resurrection and His promises of forgiveness? Have you had to dig down deep for the courage to share your faith? Where has He called you to testify that took more courage than you ever knew you had?

Lord,

Give me the courage to fulfill your calling for me. I trust in you Lord and I know with obedience, you will make me a great leader for your cause. Thank you, for teaching and guiding me where you want me to be Lord.

It's all for your Glory, in Jesus' name, Amen.


-Glory be to God


Shelly

First 5 App Daily Devotion

Thank you for sending your Son God, and leaving your spirit on earth until your work is done!

-Glory be to God


Shelly

Youversion Daily Bible Verse

-Glory be to God


Shelly

The Positive Power of Courage

Today's devotional reading comes from Joshua 1:1-9. The verse that spoke the most to me:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

He is always with us! We never have to be afraid!

God has gone on before us in every situation. He will never leave us. We just need faith and learn to trust and obey Him. When we feel afraid, we should fall silent and listen to His word, He will guide us the entire way and we shall feel like a lion! Fierce and brave. I am Courageous Shelly, daughter of the One True King!

There are so many times I feel afraid in this life! How wonderful it is to know, that I do not need to be afraid. For my God is always with me. He will guide me through every situation. Fear is a normal human emotion. And sometimes it is hard to figure out a way to be brave in our situation.

Truth be told, I have always portrayed courage, however; underneath all that, is one very scared girl. God's promises to go before me and to always be with me, have helped me out tremendously! Many times during this situation with the boys, I have felt afraid and alone. It is then that I fall silent, I pray and I listen to the words my Heavenly Father is telling me. I am a firm believer in if He brings you to it, He will bring you through it!

I have found a new courage knowing that I am not alone. I will be as fierce as a lion, I will face my fears with the Lord beside me! I am Courageous Shelly!!

Have you ever been so afraid that you felt there was no way to face the fear? How did you get through it? What did God say to you that helped you through it?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for never leaving me. For always going before me to prepare my way! Thank you for giving me the courage of a lion to face any situation I may be placed in. Remind to fall silent and listen to you Lord when I face a fear that seems to big for me to handle. I surrender all fear to your Lord, I lay them at your feet and trust that you will guide me lovingly and help me face all that is placed before me! I will obey your laws Lord and be courageous!


-Glory be to God


Shelly